Ryuji Kimura has been identified as the suspect in the pipe-bomb attack on Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. The Liberal Democratic Party leader was about to speak at a by-election campaign event in Wakayama City last Saturday when an apparent smoke bomb landed within a metre of him. The 65-year-old however escaped unharmed.

The attack on Kishida took place less than a year after former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated at a campaign event.

Also Read | Who are Miles Routledge and Kevin Cornwell, YouTuber and medic captured by Taliban in Afghanistan?

Authorities have now arrested Kimura. He allegedly threw the pipe bomb at Kishida. As per national broadcaster NHK, suspected gunpowder, pipe-like objects and other tools were found at the 24-year-old’s  home. Investigators said that they believe the explosive was homemade.

Kimura’s phone is being investigated. Authorities cannot confirm the motive of the attack.

Who is Ryuji Kimura?

Ryuji Kimura is the suspect in the pipe-bomb attack on Japanese PM Kishida. The 24-year-old has been transferred to the Wakayama prosecutors’ office from a local police station. He is charged on suspicion of obstruction of business.

Police, on Sunday, spent more than eight hours searching his home, and residents were temporarily evacuated over the threat of explosives, a report by the news agency AFP reported.

Also Read | Who is Rhys Whittock? Prince Harry lookalike fears for life after Duke of Sussex’s Taliban revelations

As per local media reports, Ryuji Kimura had a track record of suing the government. He also claimed that he was unfairly barred from running in national elections.

The suspect reportedly filed a suit in Kobe district court in June last year. He claimed that he could not run for the election because of his age and inability to prepare a $22,339 (3 million yen) deposit.

As per Japanese law, candidates for upper house elections must be 30 years or older. The minimum age for running for the lower house is 25.