Japan is set to issue a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three western urban prefectures amid skepticism it will be enough to curb a rapid COVID-19 resurgence ahead of the Olympics in July.
Health and economy ministers in charge of the virus measures were meeting with experts on a government taskforce to obtain their preliminary endorsement for the plan.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set to formally announce later Friday a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and its two western neighbors Kyoto and Hyogo from April 25 through mid-May.
Japan has issued a third state of emergency in response to coronavirus surges.(AP)
Past state of emergency measures, issued a year ago and then in January, were toothless and authorised only non-mandatory requests. The government in February toughened a law on anti-virus measures stipulating that authorities could issue binding orders for nonessential businesses to shorten hours or close in exchange for compensation for those who comply and penalties for violators. Measures this time are to include shutdown orders for bars, department stores, malls, theme parks, as well as theatres and museums.
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People wearing face masks while walking to work in Tokyo. Restaurants that do not serve alcohol and public transportation services are asked to finish early. Schools will stay open, but universities are asked to return to online classes.
Kyoto and Hyogo requested a renewed emergency, and Tokyo was expected to follow suit. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike was reportedly seeking an emergency period covering Japan’s annual “Golden Week” holidays from late April to early May to stop people from travelling. The current alert measures started on April 5 in Osaka and have since been expanded to 10 areas including Tokyo through early May. The requests for a state of emergency underscore the failures of steps that Suga’s government has promoted as an alternative to an emergency with less economic damage. Suga told reporters that he woudl decide by the end of the week.
2021-04-22 15:35:40 GMT2021-04-22 23:35:40(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
TOKYO, April 22 (Xinhua) Japan s Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo will likely be placed under a state of emergency from Sunday to May 11, which would cover the Golden Week string of national holidays, amid rising COVID-19 cases, local media reported Thursday.
The decision will be made by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at a coronavirus task force meeting on Friday and comes as the prefectures have requested heightened measures to combat the spread of the virus that go beyond quasi-emergency measures previously implemented.
With regards to the Golden Week holidays, a time when many Japanese are usually free to travel, Suga said on Thursday that measure required would be taken to stem the spread of the virus by all means.