Prosecutors are seeking a 15-year jail term for a man who threw a homemade explosive device near then Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in western Japan.

Kimura Ryuji is accused of injuring two people when he threw the explosive. Kishida was visiting a port in Wakayama City in April 2023 to campaign for a candidate in a Lower House by-election.

Kishida was quickly evacuated, unharmed.

The 25-year-old is standing trial at the Wakayama District Court on five charges, including attempted murder and violations of the Explosives Control Act.

Prosecutors on Monday claimed that the suspect had an intent to kill. They referenced expert's testimony saying the explosive was lethal and could have caused fatal injuries at the scene.

They argued that the defendant could have used firecrackers if his only intention was to draw attention, as he claimed. But instead, he filled a steel pipe with 1,500 times more gunpowder than a firecracker, and he was aware of its power.

Prosecutors demanded a 15-year jail term, calling his action an act of terror, targeting an acting prime minister and affecting the surrounding crowd. Prosecutors said Kimura committed a heinous crime that could have shattered the election system, which is the foundation of democracy.

Kimura's lawyers claimed that prosecutors only tested the lethality of the explosive within two meters around the spot it landed.

They argued the defendant believed the smoke generated before the explosion would first of all disperse the crowd. They claimed Kimura had no intention to injure or kill, and criminal charges of no more than bodily harm should be applied.

They sought a 3-year term, saying Kimura has expressed remorse and should be rehabilitated into society.

Kimura himself apologized for troubling many people.

The court is scheduled to hand down the ruling on February 19.