A loud explosion has been heard at an outdoor event being attended by Japan’s prime minister.

Japanese media claims a pipe-like object was thrown at Fumio Kishida, and it appeared to be a smoke bomb.

It happened shortly after he began a speech at a port in the city of Wakayama – and the leader was subsequently evacuated.

According to NHK, he took cover and remained safe during the incident – and no other injuries have been reported.

One eyewitness told the news channel that she saw an object flying overhead, adding: “It gave me a bad feeling, so we ran away unbelievably fast. Then we heard a really loud noise. It made my daughter cry.”

Footage from the scene showed a man being pressed to the ground by uniformed officers as crowds ran away. Police later confirmed that an arrest had been made.

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Suspect held after blast during Japan PM visit

Last July, former prime minister Shinzo Abe – the country’s longest-serving leader – died after being shot at close range while making a campaign speech outside a train station.

The assassination shocked the nation and prompted a review of security for politicians.

Mr Kishida was visiting the area to cheer one of his party’s candidates, who is taking part in a local election.

Fumio Kishida and the security surrounding him

Fumio Kishida has been Japan’s prime minister since October 2021.

He is the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, the conservative party that has spent most of the last seven decades in power.

Saturday’s explosion and evacuation came nine months after former prime minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot while making a speech.

Mr Abe was also president of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Immediately after his death, Mr Kishida ordered enhanced security for politicians.

Japanese officials, including former prime ministers, are protected by a special branch of the Tokyo police known as SPs, or Security Police.

The armed plain-clothes officers are trained in hand-to-hand combat and typically stay close to the person they are guarding to protect them from direct physical threats.