Tokyo Projectile Lands Near Home of Emperor’s Brother

A homemade projectile fired from a car landed near the home of Emperor Akihito’s younger brother in Tokyo on Monday, and another such object was found near the imperial garden in Kyoto, police said. No injuries or damage were reported.

Police suspect leftist radicals opposed to the monarchy in the attacks, which took place at about the same time in Tokyo and Kyoto.

The attacks came the same day a commission was formed to plan Akihito’s formal coronation, and a day after the end of a one-year mourning period for his father, Emperor Hirohito.

Police officials in Tokyo said at least one projectile was fired from a car parked 650 feet from the western Tokyo residence of Prince Hitachi, Akihito’s brother.

One projectile was found in a road and a fragment, possibly from a second missile, was discovered in the yard of a private home near Hitachi’s home, the officials said. The projectile contained no explosives, they said.

In the western city of Kyoto, one homemade projectile was found near the gate of the imperial garden, police said. Witnesses reported hearing three explosions.