File photo of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from an outdoor speech venue in Wakayama city on Saturday, following an "explosion-like sound" during the event. Video footage released by NHK showed members of the public fleeing and a man being arrested following the incident. Reports suggest that a silver cylinder was thrown towards Kishida's direction, with local news agency Kyodo news stating that a man was arrested for throwing what appeared to be a smoke bomb.

Kishida was giving a speech following his inspection of Saikazaki Fishing Port, as part of his support for an upcoming by-election for the House of Representatives in a Wakayama district. The incident took place during the ongoing nationwide local elections campaign in Japan. Witnesses reported seeing a cylindrical silver object fly towards them before the explosion occurred. Japanese officials have confirmed that Kishida is safe and unharmed, and he was taken to a secure location surrounded by police officers.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of "forcible obstruction of business," a crime in Japan that involves obstructing another person's business by force. The suspect is currently being held at Wakayama West Police Station, and officials have said that more details will be announced in the future.