Thu, September 18, 2008
TOKYO - A former Japanese serviceman who said he wanted to have fun was arrested Thursday for allegedly hurling explosive-laden fire extinguishers towards the Imperial Palace, police and reports said.
Toshiyuki Ogawa, 34, who described himself as a kerosene vendor, was arrested for allegedly violating the law on explosives controls, a police spokesman said.
"He is suspected of hurling fire extinguishers from a moat towards the Imperial Palace at around 2:40 am (1740 GMT Wednesday)," the police spokesman said.
"He was standing by a truck which was loaded with sandbags believed to have been used as a launch pad," he said. No injuries or damage were reported.
Police also found detonators and two metal, 50-litre (13-gallon) barrels filled with gunpowder in the moat, he said.
The suspect is a former military serviceman, media reports said.
"I blasted some fire extinguishers from the rear deck of the truck," he told police, as quoted by Jiji Press news agency.
"I did it for my own delight. I was interested in how people would react," he said.
The Imperial Palace, the residence of Emperor Akihito, is among the most tightly guarded spots in Tokyo, with limited access granted to the general public.
(Agencies)
