TOKYO: A Japanese politician who is head of a fringe party was attacked in Tokyo, reports said Friday.

TACHIBANA Takashi, leader of NHK Party, was attacked by a man with what appeared to be a large blade in front of the finance ministry, private broadcaster Nippon TV and other media reported.

Tachibana was bleeding from in the ear but he was conscious before he was sent to hospital, according to Nippon TV.

The man who attacked Tachibana was arrested at the scene, reports said.

NHK Party was initially founded on the call to reform Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, including for households not to pay the broadcasting fee if they don’t want to watch the channel.

It has two upper house members, while Tachibana is a former upper house member, according to its website.

AFP