He also repeated a call for Japan to step up security as the country hosts Group of Seven ministerial meetings next month, “so that guests can visit Japan with peace of mind”.
“HELP FROM ORDINARY CITIZENS”
Earlier on Thursday, Japan’s police chief praised security personnel and ordinary people who wrestled Kishida’s suspected attacker to the ground.
“Direct harm to Prime Minister Kishida was prevented due to actions such as protective steps by security personnel and help from ordinary citizens,” National Police Agency head Yasuhiro Tsuyuki said.
But he said the local police force would “review its security practices from the viewpoint of what more could have been done”.
Police are investigating if the explosive had lethal power, and local media has reported it might have contained metal nuts and possibly caused shrapnel to embed in a metal container about 60m away.
Kimura is under arrest but has reportedly refused to disclose any motive for the attack.
He filed a lawsuit against the government last year, which was reportedly a complaint about election laws requiring candidates to be 30 or older to seek upper house seats or at least 25 for lower house seats.
Kimura was not able to stand in last summer’s upper house vote because of these rules, and because he was unable to provide a mandatory ¥3 million (US$22,000) deposit, according to reports.
His lawsuit argued the age restrictions were unconstitutional.
Abe’s alleged assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly targeted the politician over his links to the Unification Church.
Local media said Kimura had also criticised Abe’s ties to the sect, and was opposed to the controversial state funeral given to the late leader.
