On October 19, a notable incident occurred involving a 49-year-old man named Atsunobu Usuda from Kawaguchi City in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Reports from various Japanese media outlets reveal that Usuda threw incendiary objects at the headquarters of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and drove his car into the barriers outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The police are currently investigating his motives.
According to the Sankei Shimbun, Usuda had intended to run in the upcoming House of Representatives election but abandoned his plans due to his inability to secure the necessary deposit. Following this setback, he took to social media to express his frustrations, suggesting that the system could only be altered through “litigation or direct action.”
Insider sources indicate that Usuda had previously participated in protests against the restart of nuclear power plants. On the morning of the incident, he was reported to have used a device similar to a high-pressure washer to spray liquid at riot police stationed outside the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters. He also threw what resembled Molotov cocktails, leading to minor injuries for three officers on the scene.
Following these actions, Usuda attempted to ram his vehicle into the protective barriers in front of the Prime Minister’s residence and hurled several objects resembling smoke bombs at the police before being arrested on the spot.
