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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from a fishing port in western Japan after what seemed to be a smoke bomb was thrown at the leader on Saturday (Apr. 15), according to Reuters.

He was unhurt.

At the time of the bomb scare, Kishida was about to give a speech in support of a Liberal Democratic Party candidate, The Japan Times wrote.

Japan is in the middle of electoral campaigns leading up to four lower house by-elections due to take place on Apr. 23.

Object landed near back of Kishida

In videos aired by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and shared online, Kishida can be seen greeting and mingling with a crowd gathered where he was set to give a speech.

In the midst of the event, an object appeared to land near Kishida, catching the attention of the prime minister and those around him.

Hunting the Prime Minister has become a national pastime in Japan.

🇯🇵 The moment of throwing an explosive device at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and detaining the suspect.
https://t.co/eXFHk4Kdqe pic.twitter.com/QcSCuEO2Gw

— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) April 15, 2023

The video then pans and shows a bespectacled individual carrying a grey backpack getting tackled and surrounded by a few men.

The individual can be seen clutching what appears to be a cylindrical object in one hand.

Moments later, an explosion is heard which prompts the crowd to scatter.

In the meantime, more men join the tussle to pin the suspect to the ground.

Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida was Evacuated during a Speech at a Fishing Pier in the Wakayama Region after a Person in the Crowd threw what was initially believed to be an “Explosive Device” at the Prime Minister; the Object later turned out be a Smoke Canister/Grenade. pic.twitter.com/ps91HUCMMm

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 15, 2023

A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested at the scene, according to Kyodo News.

Police seized two cylindrical objects believed to be explosive devices from the scene, The Japan Times wrote, citing NHK.

Kishida back on campaign trail

NHK reported that there were no injuries, and that Kishida was back on the campaign trail around an hour after the incident.

Delivering a speech in front of JR Wakayama Station, Kishida was quoted by NHK as saying that the country was in the middle of an important election, and "we have to work together to see it through the end."

Kishida also told the crowd that the police was investigating the incident at the fishing port, Reuters reported.

Saturday's incident comes about nine months after former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated as he was delivering a campaign speech.

Top image via MBS News/YouTube, NHK WORLD-JAPAN/YouTube