Police officers drew their guns when they arrested a man involved in attacks on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters and the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo last weekend, according to media reports on Tuesday.
The suspect, Atsunobu Usuda, set his minivan — which had 16 plastic containers of gasoline — ablaze in front of the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday.
The 49-year-old man from Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, was arrested on the spot on suspicion of obstructing public duties.
Usuda had gone to the LDP's headquarters on Saturday morning and sprayed bear repellent at riot police stationed there using a device resembling a high-pressure cleaner, according to a report by Yomiuri Shimbun. He then threw several Molotov cocktails at the LDP headquarters, the report said.
Three riot police officers sustained minor throat injuries, according to Yomiuri.
Afterward, he drove his minivan about 650 meters from that location and crashed into a barricade outside the Prime Minister's Office. There, he threw what looked like a smoke bomb and set his minivan on fire.
In response, police drew their guns and took aim at Usuda, who surrendered without resistance.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the motive behind his actions.
During the attacks, Usuda wore a gas mask and a protective suit, suggesting he may have been trying to avoid inhaling smoke from the tear gas and firebombs. He has maintained silence throughout police questioning and was sent to prosecutors on Sunday.
In May, a social media account believed to be Usuda's posted a photo of a person wearing a gas mask with the caption "final form."
Usuda is also said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the election deposit system via a different social media post five years ago. Candidates need to put down a ¥3 million (around $19,000) deposit to run for a district in the Lower House election.
"If you're dissatisfied with the election deposit system, the only way to change it is through an election nullification lawsuit and direct action," he allegedly wrote.
According to local media, Usuda wanted to contest the Lower House election in 2009 but gave up after he failed to muster the necessary funds.
Tokyo police confiscated computers from his home along with 25 glass bottles and are checking his internet history in the hopes of uncovering his motives.
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