Molotov cocktail attack on ruling party headquarters in Japan

A person threw 3-4 Molotov cocktails at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo. While there were no casualties or injuries in the attack, the motive of the suspect, who was apprehended at the scene, is not yet known. According to a statement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the 49-year-old suspect also rammed his vehicle into the security fence outside the Prime Minister's Office near the LDP headquarters. A police spokesperson reported that the suspect, identified as Atsunobu Usuda, then threw smoke bombs at the police officers.

It was reported that Atsunobu Usuda was taken into custody on charges of 'obstructing official duties,' and the attack occurred ahead of the early general election on October 27. It is noted that the ruling LDP's popularity among the public has declined due to a slush fund scandal involving suspicious financing and tax evasion. According to local media, Prime Minister and LDP leader Shigeru Ishiba stated in his remarks on the matter that democracy must never yield to violence. Ishiba was in Kagoshima, in the south of the country, at the time of the attack. LDP spokesperson Hiroshi Moriyama also announced that the party would continue its operations as planned.