Gold, silver prices fluctuate wildly

Gold and silver prices fluctuated wildly on Friday.

Spot gold prices dropped by more than two percent before rebounding to over 4,950 U.S. dollars per ounce, notching a gain of nearly four percent.

Spot silver prices lost nearly 10 percent before climbing over nine percent to land above 77 U.S. dollars per ounce.

Since the beginning of this year, gold prices have risen over 15 percent, while silver prices have risen by more than eight percent.

Market analysts said that the gold and silver price fluctuations reflect increased volatility in the precious metals market amid speculative flows and changing expectations on global liquidity.

The recent price fluctuations result from a combination of technical adjustments and changes in policy expectations, indicating a shift in the investment logic that previously supported prices, analysts noted.

A group of Japanese citizens held a rally in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday, voicing strong opposition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan and her military expansion plans.

Protesters held up signs and chanted slogans at the rally, condemning Takaichi's wrongful remarks.

"Takaichi's remarks clearly deviate from the previous administration's position. Her claim that a 'Taiwan contingency' could constitute a 'survival-threatening situation' for Japan is an extremely dangerous provocation for war. We absolutely cannot tolerate such statements," said a protester.

"Regarding Takaichi's so-called 'Taiwan contingency' remarks, I believe it was a serious transgression. In an instant, it destroyed the long-accumulated exchanges between our peoples. We have always adhered to the one-China principle, and our people absolutely cannot tolerate such statements," said Masashi Tani, secretary general of the Japan Congress against A-and H-Bombs.

Protesters said that Takaichi's actions since taking office, including revising three national security documents, relaxing restrictions on arms exports, and planning to increase the defense budget, have not only failed to enhance Japan's security but have instead heightened regional tensions.

"This is an administration that could push Japan toward war. I remain highly vigilant about a series of extremely dangerous plans, such as further increasing the defense budget and revising three national security documents. In my view, such a person is utterly unfit to serve as prime minister and should step down as soon as possible," said a protester.

Protesters also argued that Takaichi's rush to dissolve the House of Representatives was based on her own political calculation rather than a response to the real difficulties faced by the public.

"As for Takaichi's forceful dissolution of the House of Representatives, I cannot help but doubt whether she truly understands the real hardships faced by the public. In politics, the primary consideration should be the lives of the people, especially those struggling in cold waves and heavy snow," Tani said.