Tokyo, Japan July 14, 1960 (REUTERS)

Public hall - interior shots - Ikeda sealed - party officials on dais - Kishi on dais - photographers - Kishi announces resignation - crowd claps - voting - Ikeda votes, then Kishi - votes counted - Ikeda speaks - crowd claps - Kishi residence - police around bloodstained carpet - stains - assailant escorted away - photographers and police van - Maeda hospital - man describes attack - Kishi relatives in hospital hall - Kishi carried in.




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Background: In his Tokyo official residence outgoing Japanese Premier Kishi was stabbed in the leg six times by a right-wing fanatic, July 14. He was holding a reception for his former Minister of Trade and Industry, Hayato Ikeda, nominated Premier that same day by the Liberal Democratic Party convention.

Mr. Kishi's attacker, a 65-year-old dentist who gained entry to the house by wearing a Liberal Democratic, badge immediately seized and detained by police. Mr. Kishi was driven to Maeda Hospital; his wounds are not serious and full recovery within ten days is expected.

The new Premier - said to represent the party's "bureaucratic" wing - was elected on second ballot by the Liberal democrats, receiving 302 votes to 194 for Mitsujiro Ishi, veteran Executive Board chairman, Japan's Diet (Parliament) must approve him as premier, and unless dissidents of his own party join forces with the Socialists for the express purpose of rejecting him, endorsement is assured.

July 15 saw the Kishi cabinet's resignation after steering a Security treaty with the USA through the Diet. Socialist opposition and riots - and ??? Mr. Kishi's withdrawal - and to American President Eisenhower's decision to cancel his Japanese visit. It is expected that Mr. Ikeda will hold a general election to gauge public opinion following the anti-Treaty disturbances, which still continue. Police estimated 23,000 demonstrators massed around the Diet building, July 14.