Watch: Man rams car into barricade leading to Israel embassy in Tokyo; one cop injured

Tokyo police have arrested a driver following a vehicle crashed with a temporary barricade near the Israeli Embassy, resulting in an injury to a police officer, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said on Thursday. The police arrested a 53-year-old unemployed man, identified as a member of a right-wing group, on suspicion of obstructing official duties. According to Tokyo police, the suspect abruptly entered the street where officers were stationed at the barricade securing the Israeli Embassy. This action resulted in the injury of a police officer in his 20s, with reports indicating a non-life-threatening hand injury.

A van ramned into a security guard outside the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, Japan. At least one officer injured. Police investigating. -NHK#JAPAN #TOKYO #ISRAELEMBASSY #ISRAEL #PROTEST #ATTACK pic.twitter.com/JGXzLKcihE

— mishikasingh (@mishika_singh) November 16, 2023

The motive behind the incident and whether the embassy was specifically targeted remain unknown. The vicinity of the embassy is often subject to demonstrations protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading Japanese police to establish barricades in the area. Photographs and video footage captured the aftermath, showing a black compact vehicle crashed into a guardrail by the sidewalk, with debris scattered on the street. The crash occurred near an intersection approximately 100 meters from the embassy, situated in an area densely populated with offices and restaurants. The Kyodo News agency reported that the suspect admitted to police he rammed into the barricade, and that he was sorry that the police officer was injured.