Photo/Illutration A metal canister discovered at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama on April 15 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

WAKAYAMA--A metal canister seized at the site where an explosion forced Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to cancel a campaign speech April 15 apparently contained gunpowder, according to sources close to the investigation.

Police confiscated two cylindrical devices at Saikazaki fishing port here, one of which was not detonated. The sources said what appears to be black powder was found in the unexploded device.

Ryuji Kimura, 24, was arrested on the spot on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.

The other device exploded about 50 seconds after landing near Kishida, sending up white smoke and debris over a distance of 40 to 60 meters. Kishida was not injured.

Black powder, which is used for fireworks among other things, produces white smoke when it explodes.

Police seized powder that they presume was used to make the explosives when they searched Kimura’s home in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture.

Investigators are examining the powder to determine how Kimura obtained the material and made explosive devices.

Police also confirmed that Kimura used his personal computer to check out Kishida’s campaign itinerary on the website of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the sources said. The PC was also confiscated during the search. 

The website said Kishida was scheduled to visit Saikazaki fishing port at 11:40 a.m. on April 15 to campaign for a Lower House by-election. The information was posted around 5:10 p.m. on April 14, according to the LDP headquarters.

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