Reiwa 7 (U) No. 410 Case of Explosives Control Act Violation, Explosives Control Penal Code Violation, Public Offices Election Act Violation, Attempted Murder, and Firearms and Swords Control Act Violation

In April 2025, during a Tokyo gubernatorial election campaign, a man threw a homemade explosive device and fired a modified handgun at a candidate's street speech venue, injuring a bystander. He was subdued on the spot. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered caches of gunpowder, additional firearms, and materials for explosives. Investigators determined the suspect held a deep-seated grudge against the political establishment and intended to disrupt the election. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office indicted him on multiple charges: violation of the Explosives Control Act, violation of the Explosives Control Penal Code, violation of the Public Offices Election Act, attempted murder, and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Act. The case highlighted the escalation of political violence during electoral periods.

As of late 2025, the trial is ongoing at the Tokyo District Court. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder while admitting to explosives and firearms charges. A verdict is pending, with prosecutors seeking a lengthy prison term.

The central legal disputes revolved around whether the defendant possessed a definitive intent to kill, as required for attempted murder, given his indiscriminate bombing method. The defense argued that the main objective was intimidation rather than homicide. Another contested point was the applicability of the Public Offices Election Act to physical attacks not directed at a specific candidate's campaign materials but at the electoral process itself. The classification of the handmade device as a regulated "explosive" under strict penal codes was also challenged.

The attack sent shockwaves through Japanese society, prompting the National Police Agency to drastically bolster security for political figures and campaign events. It reignited public debate over the balance between open democratic access and the safety of candidates and voters. Political polarization and lone-wolf extremism were widely discussed in the media. The case also spurred legislative reviews to tighten regulations on precursor chemicals for homemade explosives and to enhance penalties for election interference.