A man who hurled a pipe bomb at the Japanese Prime Minister has been charged in court with attempted murder.

The 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura was suspected of throwing the explosive device towards Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April during a campaign event.

Although the prime minister was not injured during the incident, the suspect was arrested on the spot at the scene of the crime.

The attempted murder incident came less than a year after former leader Shinzo Abe was assassinated during campaigns.

Police recovered gunpowder, pipe-like objects, and other harmful materials at Kimura’s house after his arrest.

Wakayama District court spokesperson told reporters that Kimura remained silent since the time of his arrest.

Japan’s national broadcaster NHK, also confirmed Kimura was arraigned in court on Wednesday, September 6, although he didn’t utter a word.

He had earlier undergone a psychiatric test before the medical experts confirmed he was fit for arraignment in court.

Kimura had at the beginning of 2023 sued the government, raising concerns about the minimum age required in law for one to vie in elections.

According to Japan’s Kyodo news, Kimura could have committed the offense since he was not given a chance to vie in the elections.