Parents say they will spend less on their children’s gifts or cut down on overseas holidays, as rising costs and the uncertain economy take their toll.
COVID removes the luster from Japan s Golden Week holidays
Traditionally a time to travel, shop and go out, this year s festive season has been disrupted by a third state of emergency as cases of COVID-19 rise.
This shopping area in Tokyo would normally be packed during Japan s annual spring festival
Every spring for the 20 years that Fumie Takenaka has lived in Tokyo, she has taken advantage of the Golden Week holiday period to travel to her hometown in Aichi Prefecture.
She even risked a brief trip this time last year, as the coronavirus pandemic in Japan appeared to be waning. It is clear today, however, that the pandemic returns in waves.
Coronavirus takes bloom off Tokyo s cherry blossom festivities asiaone.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from asiaone.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.