Man charged for throwing explosive at Japan PM Kishida 

TOKYO - A man accused of

throwing a pipe bomb

at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April has been charged with attempted murder, a court spokesman said on Wednesday.

Ryuji Kimura, 24, is suspected of

tossing the explosive device

towards Mr Kishida during a campaign event in western Japan.

Mr Kishida was unharmed after the attack, while Kimura was arrested at the scene.

The incident came less than a year after

former leader Shinzo Abe was assassinated

on a campaign trail.

A Wakayama district court spokesman told AFP that Kimura “was indicted” on Wednesday.

Suspected gunpowder, as well as pipe-like objects and tools, were

found at Kimura’s home

during a police search after the attack. He has remained silent since his arrest, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Kimura reportedly

underwent psychiatric evaluation

for about three months before being charged. He had previously filed a lawsuit against the government, complaining about the country’s minimum age for running in elections. AFP