Japan steps up security after Trump assassination attempt

The attempted assassination of Mr Trump has affected authorities in Japan, with the national police agency instructing local police units to ensure security inside and outside venues used by the speaker. Local headquarters have also been asked to ensure safety measures were implemented, which were announced after the assassination of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

A man was arrested after allegedly throwing an explosive device at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Saikazaki port in Wakayama, western Japan in 2023. Photo: Kyodo News

Two years ago, plainclothes police officers guarding the prime minister as he spoke on a street corner in Nara were widely criticised for failing to stop the gunman, Tetsuya Yamagami, from approaching from behind. A former member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Yamagami, 41, had built a crude gun with which he shot Mr Abe.

Despite heightened security around politicians in the immediate aftermath of Abe's death, in April 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was approached by a man who threw an explosive device while campaigning in Wakayama Prefecture. A police officer was slightly injured. The attacker was arrested but refused to answer police questions.

“I think we are seeing more and more of these political violence cases involving individuals acting alone rather than an organized group,” said Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, associate professor of international relations at the University of Tokyo. “Before the assassination of Mr. Abe, we seemed to have a fairly long period of peace, but now the government has to adapt to new forms of political violence.”

Mr. Hinata-Yamaguchi emphasized that a lone actor who does not disclose his plans or communicate electronically with accomplices would be very difficult for law enforcement to identify and track.

“But whatever happens now, politicians everywhere will be much more alert to the threats they face, and governments will look to come up with new solutions based on everything they learn from this attack,” the associate professor said.

Memorial for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a cemetery in Nara. Photo: Kyodo

While both Mr Trump and Mr Abe represent conservative parties in their countries and are said to be close political allies, analysts say it is too early to draw conclusions about similarities between the two attacks.

"The person who killed Mr. Abe had complex reasons and it was not a political attack but a personal attack. With the shooting of Mr. Trump, we still don't know enough. His motive could be political, could be personal, could be due to mental problems," said Mr. Hinata-Yamaguchi.

“We shouldn't speculate until things calm down, although I'm sure politicians around the world will be paying more attention to their personal security from now on.”

The suspect in the attack on Mr. Trump was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who worked at a nursing home. Police said he was a registered Republican but had also donated $15 to a Democratic support group.

The weapon used in the attack was legally purchased by Crooks’ father. The suspected shooter wounded Trump in the right ear, killed one spectator and seriously injured two others. Secret Service snipers shot him down on a rooftop overlooking the rally.

Hoai Phuong (according to SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nhat-ban-tang-cuong-an-ninh-sau-vu-ong-trump-bi-am-sat-hut-post303596.html