Japan mulling entirely zero-fan Olympics after public backlash
July 7, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
People wearing face masks ride an escalator with banners to promote the Tokyo Olympics, on July 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File) TOKYO Plans to have no spectators at any of the Olympic venues across Japan have surfaced within the central government, a serious shift from the previous policy of keeping fans out of some events, such as those at night or at large stadiums. Increasing numbers of figures in the government and ruling coalition believe the move is necessary, due to serious public concern about holding the games mid-pandemic. The Japanese government will hold a five-party meeting including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as early as July 8 to make a final decision on spectators.
Businesses in Japan violating shutdown orders could face fines up to $4,800
January 7, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
This May 1, 2019 file photo shows the Japanese prime minister s office in Tokyo s Chiyoda Ward. (Mainichi/Masahiro Kawata) TOKYO Businesses in Japan that violate orders to suspend operations amid an expected state of emergency over surging coronavirus cases could face fines of up to 500,000 yen ($4,855), according to a government draft to strengthen a special measures law. The beefed-up steps include allowing prefectural governors to issue legally binding orders to businesses to suspend operations under a declared state of emergency, rather than the current requests to temporarily close.