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European stocks closed lower across the board on Wednesday, pressured by persistently high government bond yields in several European countries and rising oil prices.
The United Kingdom's FTSE 100 index fell 0.29 percent to close at 10,606.00 points. France's CAC 40 index dropped 0.89 percent to finish at 7,964.51 points. Germany's DAX index lost 0.79 percent to end the session at 25,199.19 points.
European stocks fall on high bond yields, rising oil prices
A group of Japanese protesters rallied on Wednesday near Higashi-ginza Station in Tokyo to oppose the Japanese government's attempts to amend the pacifist constitution and its moves to expand military capabilities and revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
The Three Non-Nuclear Principles, not possessing, not producing and not allowing introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory, were first declared in the Diet, Japan's parliament, by then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1967 and viewed as a national credo.
The national security strategy, one of the three documents approved by the Japanese Cabinet in 2022, states, "The basic policy of adhering to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles will remain unchanged in the future."
The demonstrators expressed concern that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi had repeatedly made remarks in public regarding the revision of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
They voiced strong opposition to Japan's consideration of introducing nuclear submarines and other related moves.
"The Japanese people will absolutely not accept any revision of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. In various public opinion polls in Japan, an overwhelming majority of people share this view. Shinjiro Koizumi's statements on issues such as nuclear submarines and the government's consideration of revising the Three Non-Nuclear Principles are both vastly at odds with public opinion. We must not let our guard down. We must raise our voices in even stronger opposition," said a rally participant.
"Japan is a country that has suffered nuclear attacks. So, we absolutely cannot allow nuclear weapons into Japan. I believe this is the most fundamental principle. I am absolutely opposed to it," said another protester.
"I don't want Japan to attack other countries. Nor do I want Japan to become a victim or perpetrator of war. So, I still hope we can stop all of this. I hope they won't do this. I hope the Three Non-Nuclear Principles won't be revised," said the third protester.
Seventy-six percent of people in Japan support upholding the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles, Kyodo News reported in early August, citing a nationwide opinion poll.
Japanese citizens protest against altering Three Non-Nuclear Principles
