Elections are the bedrock of democracy.

We must unequivocally condemn the heinous act of hurling explosives into a crowd gathered for a campaign speech. It is crucial for us to renew our commitment to ensuring both the “safety” and “freedom” of citizens as they engage closely with politicians.

On Feb. 19, the Wakayama District Court sentenced Ryuji Kimura to 10 years in prison for throwing a homemade explosive device at a speech venue in Wakayama, where then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was campaigning in April 2023.

Approximately 200 people, including Kishida, were present at the venue. From the moment the explosive was thrown to the time it detonated, more than 50 seconds elapsed, allowing most individuals, including Kishida, to evade injury, though two persons were injured.

The incident narrowly avoided becoming a fatal disaster. The district court convicted the........

© The Asahi Shimbun