Suspect in Attack on Japanese PM to Have Mental Examination
14:03 JST, May 22, 2023
The Wakayama District Court has approved prosecutors’ request to detain the suspect in the April attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for examination of his mental competence to bear criminal responsibility, sources have said. The examination is expected to begin this week.
Ryuji Kimura, 24, was initially arrested at the scene on April 15 and later arrested again on suspicion of violating the Explosives Control Law in connection with an explosive device thrown into Kishida’s campaign speech venue in Wakayama on April 15.
Kimura has remained silent during the investigation following his arrest. The Wakayama prefectural police are investigating the structure and power of the thrown object, with a view to pursuing criminal charges of violation of the explosives law and attempted murder.
Although his motive is unclear, Kimura filed a lawsuit for state compensation last June, claiming that it was unconstitutional that one cannot run for a House of Councillors election before reaching 30 years old or if unable to pay a deposit of ¥3 million for candidacy, as stipulated under the Public Offices Election Law.
The claim was dismissed by the Kobe District Court in November, and a ruling by the Osaka High Court is scheduled for Thursday.
Investigators believe that dissatisfaction with the election system may have been one of his motives. On the other hand, they seemed to have deemed it necessary to examine in detail Kimura’s mental state at the time of the incident as he has remained silent.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Tokyo District Court Rules AI Cannot Be Issued Patents; Law Recognizes Only ‘Natural Persons’ as Inventors
-
Small Animal That Appears to be Mouse Found in Chojuku Bread Products; Some Brands on Same Production Line to be Recalled Voluntarily
-
Earthquake Hits Japan’s Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba Prefectures, No Risk of Tsunami
-
Man Repels Bear Attack in Hokkaido by Kicking its Face After Encountering 2 Bears While Sightseeing
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- Japanese Seafood Exports to China Sink 57% in FY23; U.S. Becomes Largest Seafood Export Destination
- Half of New NISA Investments Went to Japanese Stocks
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- ASEAN Plus 3 Share Concerns About Excessive Exchange Rate Fluctuation; Seeking Stability in Exchange Rate