The governors of Tokyo and Osaka have opened the door to declare another virus crisis in Japan’s largest metro areas as infections escalate, contributing to the challenges facing an Olympic Games in less than 100 days in the capital.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters late Sunday officials instructed to consider a state of emergency as an option to contain infection numbers that rose to their highest in more than two months over the weekend, when the last statement was in force in the capital. Her comments come as a new poll shows widespread opposition to holding the 2020 Games in the city.
In Osaka, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said at a news conference on Monday that he was going to seek a state of emergency as infection numbers reached record highs this month. The public statements put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to make a decision, which according to local media could come as early as this week.
Suga, who would make the call after consulting experts, tightened virus restrictions in Tokyo, Osaka and other regions earlier this month and introduced similar measures to those in emergencies. The prime minister now has little left in his toolbox to control the latest boom, with vaccinations moving slowly and only starting in high gear in May.
The measures currently in place call for pubs and restaurants to close at 8pm, and those who do not comply will be fined. Incentives are given to eateries that follow virus guidelines, such as maintaining adequate space between tables.
Even under current measures, commuter trains are crowded while crowds flock to shops and restaurants. Civil liberties enshrined in the Japanese Constitution prevent the imposition of a lock-in supported by police action.
Tokyo could try to tighten restrictions by asking restaurants to close if a state of emergency is declared, TV network TBS reported, without saying where he obtained the information. Tightening measures outside the current constraints could increase the risk of a double recession and severely hurt thousands of eateries struggling to survive.
“If not only restaurants but also other stores are asked to close, the economic impact could be huge, and we could see a contraction in the second quarter,” economist Harumi Taguchi at IHS Markit said.
The Japanese prime minister is confronted by a setback from a public that the Summer Olympics – one of the biggest global events in the pandemic – could be an event in the super speaker. The Games have been delayed for a year already, and 73% of those surveyed this past weekend said they were off by the July meeting, as planned. a poll conducted by Japanese broadcaster ANN.
About the same percentage of respondents wanted the government to declare a state of emergency and impose stricter preventive measures. Daily cases in Tokyo recorded 759 Saturday, the highest since late January.
Suga has tried to keep the economy moving while keeping things in check to appease voters, many of whom see him as slow to put in place measures to curb infections and put the economy in front of public health problems. The prime minister must find a careful balance before a vote on party leadership in September that will determine whether he stays – or joins the long list of short-lived leaders.
Suga visited Joe Biden in the White House on Friday, becoming the first foreign leader to hold a personal meeting with the US president since taking office. Repeat prayers his support for Tokyo, which hosted the Olympic Games during the summit.
Suga, who identified the Olympics as an opportunity to prove that the world has defeated the virus, has withdrawn from its own ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Last week, LDP stalwart Toshihiro Nikai indicated that the chance to cancel the Tokyo Games is an option as the country is struggling with the increase in cases.
Despite rising numbers in Japan, the country has by far the fewest cases of Covid-19 and deaths of any group of seven countries.
– With the help of Lily Nonomiya, Isabel Reynolds and Yoshiaki Nohara
(Updates with report on possible restaurant closure)