Key Facts
• April 2023: Suspect threw homemade explosive near then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
• February 2024: Wakayama District Court sentenced suspect to 10 years in prison.
• Charges: Attempted murder, explosives law violations, election law violations (5 charges total).
• Suspect denied intent to harm, citing dissatisfaction with election system as motive.
• Court ruled use of explosives implied indirect intent to kill.
• August 5, 2025: Appeal trial began; defense claimed laws applied were unconstitutional.
• Prosecution countered, stating defense arguments lacked merit.
Summary
The appeal trial for Ryuuji Kimura, accused of attempting to harm former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with a homemade explosive in April 2023, began on August 5, 2025. Initially sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Wakayama District Court in February 2024, Kimura faced five charges, including attempted murder and election law violations. While admitting to possessing and creating the explosive, Kimura denied intent to kill, claiming his actions were meant to draw attention to his dissatisfaction with the election system. The court, however, ruled that using explosives indicated indirect intent to kill. During the appeal, Kimura’s defense argued that the laws applied in the initial ruling were unconstitutional and based on factual errors. The prosecution dismissed these claims as baseless. The case continues to draw public attention due to its implications for legal interpretations and political security.
