TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court on Wednesday convicted a man who threw a homemade pipe bomb at Japan's former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a 2023 campaign event, sentencing him to 10 years in prison, court officials said.
Ryuji Kimura, 25, was found guilty of attempted murder in the April 15, 2023 attack on Kishida at a small fishing port in the western city of Wakayama, as well as four other crimes including violations of laws on explosives and other weapons.
At stake was whether Kimura intended to commit murder.
The Wakayama District Court said in the ruling that Kimura was aware of the potential for a fatality in his attack, according to the Kyodo News agency. The ruling said the attack at an election campaign event was a serious challenge to democracy and posed a significant danger to many people, Kyodo said.
Kimura, at an opening session of the trial in early February, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, saying he didn’t intend to kill Kishida. He said he was dissatisfied with Japan’s election system and that he only wanted to get public attention by targeting a famous politician.
The then-prime minister was unhurt, but two people sustained minor injuries. Kimura was arrested on the spot.
The attack came about a year after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech in Nara, another city in western Japan.
Prosecutors said Kimura had a murder intent, noting that the bomb Kimura threw at Kishida was potentially lethal, and demanded a 15-year prison term.
Gun-related crime is rare in Japan because of strict gun control laws, but there has been a series of high-profile knifings and other attacks using homemade guns and explosives.
A vehicle believed to be carrying Ryuji Kimura, who threw a homemade pipe bomb at former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a 2023 campaign event, arrives at Wakayama District Court in Wakayama, western Japan Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Shohei Miyano/Kyodo News via AP)
Ryuji Kimura, center, is caught by police after he threw a homemade pipe bomb at Japan's former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a campaign event at a fishing port in Wakayama, western Japan, on April 15, 2023. (Kyodo News via AP)
People queue up to get a ticket for a seat to observe a court's ruling on an attempted murder trial for Ryuji Kimura, who threw a homemade pipe bomb at former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a 2023 campaign event, outside Wakayama District Court in Wakayama, western Japan Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Shohei Miyano/Kyodo News via AP)
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Paul Magnier won a bunch sprint to make it two wins out of three at this year’s Giro d’Italia, while Uruguayan cyclist Guillermo Silva remained in the overall lead on Sunday as the race prepares to return to Italy.
Magnier edged out Jonathan Milan by half a wheel, with Dyland Groenewegen millimeters behind in third. So close was the finish that Magnier initially raised his hand in celebration then immediately put it down and seemed uncertain as to whether he had actually won.
The French cyclist also claimed victory in Friday’s opening stage.
“I dreamed about it and it was the goal to go for the stage again and the team did an amazing job again,” said Magnier, who rides for Soudal Quick-Step. “And then I was not really sure to win the stage, to be honest. I celebrate and then I say ‘oh, I’m not sure’ but in the end I won, so I’m really happy.
“Now I have to say that I feel really good and I can be with the best sprinters in the world, so I will try to enjoy this moment and keep going like this with the team.”
Sunday’s third stage was a 175-kilometer route from Plovdiv — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe — to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.
Diego Pablo Sevilla, Alessandro Tonelli and Manuele Tarozzi attacked from the start and it appeared as if the three-man breakaway was going to contest the finish, but they were mopped up with the line in sight.
It was the third and final stage in Bulgaria before Monday’s rest day as the Giro moves to Italy. Tuesday’s fourth stage is a 138-kilometer route from Catanzaro, in the foot of Italy, to Cosenza.
Silva, who on Saturday became the first Uruguayan to win a Giro stage and lead the race, will wear the maglia rosa.
The 24-year-old Silva, who rides for XDS Astana, is four seconds ahead of German rider Florian Stork and Italian climbing specialist Giulio Ciccone.
“The team is extremely supportive and wanted me to keep this jersey going into the rest day. So we’re going to enjoy it,” Silva said.
“Today was just unbelievable. Every moment, people were looking at me and I still can’t quite believe it. We’ll try to hold onto it (the leader's jersey) for as long as possible and it’s very nice to carry it to Italy.”
The 109th men’s Giro ends on May 31 in Rome.
The women’s Giro runs from May 30-June 7 with Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini as the defending champion.
AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling
France's Paul Magnier wins the third stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Plovdiv to Sofia, Bulgaria, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (Massimo Paolone /LaPresse via AP)
France's Paul Magnier, center, wins the third stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Plovdiv to Sofia, Bulgaria, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (Massimo Paolone /LaPresse via AP)
France's Paul Magnier wins the third stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Plovdiv to Sofia, Bulgaria, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (Gian Mattia d'Alberto/LaPresse via AP)
The pack rides during the third stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Plovdiv to Sofia, Bulgaria, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)
