Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a wide-area advisory covering all of Europe as a precaution in response to protest activities across the continent.
Large-scale protests have been occurring frequently in several European countries. While most have been peaceful, some extremist groups have turned violent, resulting in arson and looting, the ministry said.
In France, protests by high school students against school education, which began in the Paris suburbs in mid-September, spread nationwide through social media. Demonstrations against soaring fuel and energy prices then joined the movement, along with labor unions, developing into nationwide protests. Around 550,000 people took part in the nationwide demonstrations held on October 17, according to the French government, while organizers estimated participation at around 800,000. Although most were peaceful marches, some extremist groups turned violent, leading to arson, looting, and fierce clashes with security forces, and causing significant damage to shops and public facilities. Similar protests, driven by rising living costs, have occurred not only in France but also in several other European countries. In some cases, extremist groups turned violent, causing damage through arson and vandalism.
The advisory covers 43 countries and territories: Iceland, Ireland, Andorra, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, San Marino, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Vatican City, Finland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Malta, Monaco, Luxembourg, Albania, Austria, North Macedonia, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Kosovo, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges people residing or staying in France and other European countries to continually obtain the latest information through news reports, social media, and other sources. It advises them never to carelessly approach locations where protests or gatherings are taking place, or areas where unrest is observed, and to leave the area immediately if they encounter such situations.
The ministry notes that situations can change suddenly in places where large numbers of people gather, including protest rallies. It urges people to remain constantly aware of their surroundings and to strictly refrain from taking photographs or videos with smartphones or other devices. Even in countries and regions where large-scale protests are not currently being reported, protests may occur suddenly in the future, and the ministry calls on people to remain vigilant. It also encourages registration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Tabi-Regi” travel registration service and submission of a residence notification for stays of three months or longer.
