TOKYO: The suspect who threw a smoke bomb toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had a track record of seeking damages from the government, claiming he was unfairly barred from running for the Upper House election, Japanese media reported on Tuesday (Apr 18).
Ryuji Kimura filed the lawsuit in the Kobe district court last June, claiming he could not run for election held on Jul 10 due to his age and inability to prepare a ¥3 million (US$22,339) deposit, Yomiuri newspaper and other outlets said, citing the case record.
According to the record, Kimura claimed the election law violates the Constitution, which stipulates equality under the law among other provisions.
The court dismissed the claim, in which the 24-year-old suspect sought ¥100,000 in damages for the mental anguish he had suffered, according to the reports.
Kimura appealed to the Osaka High Court against this ruling with more claims that incumbent political forces were unlawfully remaining in power, and a decision is scheduled next month, Japanese media said.