What does a new state of emergency mean for Japan?
The state of emergency declared on Thursday in Japan to address a third wave of coronavirus will be much less strict than the blockages seen elsewhere and milder than the first Covid emergency in the country last spring. So how will it impact your daily life?
What areas are affected?
The one-month statement is not national. It affects four neighboring areas that account for much of the increase in the number of cases in Japan: Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama. The region, known as Greater Tokyo, is home to more than 36 million people and accounts for a third of Japan’s GDP.
Other parts of the country are not affected at the moment, although another region said it could try to include it if cases continue to rise.
What does the measure allow?
A state of emergency empowers governments in the affected regions to call for restrictions on movement and trade, but offers little in terms of enforcement.
Governments can ask people to stay inside and call on businesses that attract large numbers of people, such as entertainment venues or department stores, to close their doors. But there are no penalties for those who defy the request and no other enforcement mechanisms.
The Japanese government is trying to introduce legislation this month to allow fines for companies that defy closure requests and to provide incentives to those who comply.
So what will change?
This time, restaurants and bars will be required to stop serving alcohol until 19:00 and to close an hour later, except for delivery and delivery.
Other companies – from gyms to theme parks – may be asked to shorten their hours, and online work will be encouraged in order to reduce commuter traffic by 70%. Residents will be asked to avoid non-essential outings, especially in the evening.
The strongest power given to governors is the ability to order buildings or land for medical purposes, for example, requiring landowners to hand over properties to build temporary medical facilities.
Local boards may also close schools, but officials say there are no plans to do so at this time. And the reports suggest that the limit for spectators at major events will be revised up to 5,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is lower.
The restrictions are looser than Japan’s latest state of emergency, which has seen many businesses shut down and schools closed.
How will the audience react?
Despite the lack of implementation, last year’s state of emergency was widely respected.
The Suga government has seen approval ratings drop in the management of the third wave of infections, criticizing its decision to continue promoting an internal travel campaign even as the number of cases has risen.
December polls on the prospect of a national state of emergency have shown that a majority supports the move.
What does it mean for the Olympics?
The Japanese government and the organizers of Tokyo 2020 have firmly adhered to the line that the Deferred Virus Games will open this summer, and Suga reiterated this week its decision to hold the event as “proof of humanity’s victory over the virus.”
However, a majority of the public, even before the emergency, opposed the organization of the Games this year, favoring further postponement or direct cancellation.
The recent tightening of border restrictions could theoretically affect the visits of Olympic officials, but athletes will not start arriving in months.
However, some health officials have warned that the emergency should take about two months to have an effect on infection rates – close to the new start date of the Olympic torch relay on March 25.