Arrest in Tokyo Following Attack on Government Headquarters
A man was apprehended in Tokyo on Saturday, facing serious allegations of launching several incendiary devices at the headquarters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In a dramatic turn of events, he also rammed his vehicle into a security fence outside the office of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as reported by a public broadcaster.
The masked suspect was taken into custody early Saturday morning after his car crashed into the security barrier outside the prime minister’s office. Initial reports from NHK, the national broadcaster, indicated that no injuries were reported, and at the time of the incident, Mr. Ishiba was away in southern Japan.
This alarming incident is the latest in a troubling series of violent acts directed at government officials in Japan, a nation typically recognized for its low rates of violent crime. The country was profoundly shaken in 2022 by the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had the longest tenure in office. The following year, an attempt on then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida occurred when a man hurled a pipe bomb at him while he was delivering a speech in a small port city near Osaka; fortunately, Mr. Kishida emerged unscathed.
The individual arrested on Saturday has been identified as a 49-year-old resident of Saitama Prefecture, located near Tokyo. Investigators revealed to NHK that additional incendiary devices and plastic containers, likely filled with kerosene, were discovered in his vehicle. However, further information regarding the suspect’s identity or his motivations remains unclear.
Mr. Ishiba assumed office this month, stepping into the role following the resignation of his predecessor, Mr. Kishida, who faced significant unpopularity after leading the LDP through a tumultuous period marked by corruption scandals. In these early weeks, Mr. Ishiba’s administration has also struggled with low approval ratings, with a recent Jiji Press poll indicating a mere 28 percent approval—representing the lowest approval rating for a new administration since 2000.
A former defense minister, Mr. Ishiba has begun to cultivate a reputation for inconsistent policies. His proposal to establish an “Asian NATO” left many policy experts in a state of confusion. Additionally, he has seemingly altered his positions on various critical issues, including interest rates and nuclear energy, since his election campaign.
In a controversial move, Mr. Ishiba dissolved the lower house of Japan’s Parliament this month, a decision that incited backlash from opposition parties. Critics have voiced concerns that this action, taken just a day before his confirmation as prime minister, could potentially breach constitutional guidelines.
A snap election is slated for October 27, which will determine whether the Liberal Democrats can maintain a majority in the more influential chamber of Japan’s Parliament.
