Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was safely evacuated after being hit by what appeared to be a smoke bomb at a public event.

Local media reported that a man was detained at the Wakayama scene where Mr Kishida was supposed to give a speech.

One witness said they saw someone throwing objects, followed by smoke, while another said they heard a loud bang. No injuries were reported. Video footage shows officers pinning down what they believe to be the suspect.

He was arrested on suspicion of obstructing business activities and was later identified by authorities as 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura. His motives remain unclear.

Footage broadcast by NHK showed crowds appearing to be fleeing the scene. The footage also shows people surrounding a man, holding him down and carrying him away.

Mr Kishida had just started giving a speech after visiting the fishing port in Wakayama for an election campaign when the object was thrown, and he took cover.

Speaking to the crowd at another location after the incident, Mr Kishida said the incident should not disrupt the election process.

Another eyewitness told NHK that the crowd dispersed in a panic before hearing explosions as some said someone had thrown explosives.

Hiroshi Moriyama, a member of Mr Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party, said: “It is regrettable that something like this happened in an election campaign that forms the basis of democracy. It is an unforgivable atrocity.”

Violent attacks are extremely rare in Japan. But politicians are nervous about security after former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead on an election campaign trail last year.