Crowd on December 30 at the Ameya Yokocho Market in Tokyo.
Photographer: Noriko Hayashi / Bloomberg
Photographer: Noriko Hayashi / Bloomberg
Japan’s stance against the declaration of another state of emergency seems to be shifting, as coronavirus infections fueled by the onset of cold weather showed no signs of abating, even after the country tightened restraint measures.
Tokyo’s metropolitan government considers a request to the central government to declare a state of emergency, national broadcaster NHK reported, without mentioning how he obtained the information. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the coronavirus response in Japan, said on Wednesday that the country said on Wednesday may consider an emergency if current infections persist.
Japanese officials have said so far that they are not thinking of taking such a step. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who usually says no emergency is being considered, downplayed the direct questions on Thursday night in remarks to reporters. Suga said that the most important thing is the protection of the medical system and the prevention of accelerated virus spread, and that he did not directly address the emergency.
Japan briefly declared a state of emergency during April and May in response to the initial wave of coronavirus cases. The state of emergency does not allow for a complete exclusion, but gives more powers to local governments, including to encourage residents to stay at home for a certain period of time during the period of emergency.
The news comes when Japan reported a record day of new Covid-19 cases, crossing 4,000 for the first time. Tokyo recorded 1,337 cases – a big jump and the first time the daily figure has reached 1,000.
Some urban areas across Japan have already introduced measures, such as urging pubs and restaurants to close early. The government has also continued with a decision to apply to change the law so that it can fine restaurants that do not comply with requests to close early. Sankei reported on Friday, citing government sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, the amended measures will be submitted for approval when the diet is up and running again in January.
Read more: Japan considers fines for closing pubs early due to virus
While the absolute numbers of infestations in Japan are low compared to countries like the US and India, the island nation has been facing an increase in new cases starting in early November.
The government does not have the legal means to force a closure, and its ability to limit the spread of the virus is now in doubt. In addition, officials have avoided major restrictions as they try to get the country’s recession economy back on track.
– With help by Kana Nishizawa