Crowds at Ameya Yokocho Square in Tokyo on December 30th.
Photographer: Noriko Hayashi / Bloomberg
Photographer: Noriko Hayashi / Bloomberg
Japan’s position against declaring another state of emergency seems to be changing, as coronavirus infections fueled by the onset of cold weather showed no signs of reduction even after the country intensified containment measures.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government considers request to central government to declare a state of emergency, a national frog NHK reported, without citing how it obtained the information. On Wednesday, Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister responsible for Japan’s coronavirus response, said the country could consider an emergency if the infections continue at the current rate.
Japanese officials have so far said they do not plan to take such a step. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who usually says an emergency is not being considered, asked direct questions about it on Thursday night, in comments to reporters. Suga said the most important thing was to protect the medical system and prevent the spread of the virus and did not directly address the urgency.
Japan briefly adopted a state of emergency in April and May in response to the initial wave of coronavirus cases. The state of emergency does not allow for a complete blockade, but gives more powers to local governments, including to urge residents to stay home for a certain period of time during the emergency.
The news comes as Japan reported a record number of new Covid-19 cases, crossing 4,000 for the first time. Tokyo recorded a record 1,337 cases – a big leap and for the first time the daily figure exceeded 1,000.
Some urban areas in Japan have already implemented measures, such as the call for early closure of bars and restaurants. The government has also come up with a decision to implement the law so that it can fine restaurants that do not take into account early closure requests. Sankei reported on Friday, citing government sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, the amended measures will be subject to approval when the diet returns to session in January.
Read more: Japan considers fines for bars to close prematurely due to the virus
While the absolute number of infections is low in Japan compared to countries such as the US and India, the island nation is facing an increase in the number of new cases that began in early November.
The government does not have the legal means to force the blockade, and its ability to control the spread of the virus without one now being called into question. In addition, officials have avoided heavy restrictions while trying to restore the country’s recessionary economy.
– With the assistance of Kana Nishizawa