A 49-year-old man was arrested after throwing firebombs at the headquarters of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. After the attack, Atsunobu Usuda drove his car into the fencing around Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's residence. Thankfully, no one was injured, as confirmed by Tokyo police.

Usuda was detained at the scene and charged with obstructing official duties, with more charges expected. While his motive remains uncertain, local media hinted that Usuda’s social media posts expressed frustration over the high financial costs of running for public office in Japan, suggesting potential political ambitions.

It was also reported that Usuda had participated in protests against nuclear power plants, though he was unavailable for comment. This incident comes at a time when the LDP is facing scandals over alleged financial misconduct and possible tax evasion. With elections for the lower house of Parliament set for October 27, public support for the ruling party is waning.

October 19, 2024

Several politicians tainted by scandals have lost the party’s endorsement and are now running as independents. Prime Minister Ishiba, recently appointed as the LDP leader, has been trying to improve the party’s image, but polls show a significant drop in popularity. The party’s majority in the upcoming election is uncertain, especially with a divided opposition.

In recent weeks, some LDP candidates have faced heckling during campaign events, an uncommon event in Japan’s generally reserved political atmosphere. The LDP has long dominated Japanese politics, guiding the nation through its post-war recovery and economic growth.

However, the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, during an LDP campaign event, continues to affect the party. Abe's killer cited the LDP's links to the controversial Unification Church, which remains a source of controversy.