Japan state of emergency mutes nightlife but cities still open as infections rise

Nightlife

Tokyo, April 9, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) The total number of Japanese novel coronavirus infections hit over 5,300 on Thursday, NHK public broadcaster said.

The coronavirus infections however had shown no signs of slowing in spite of a state of emergency being imposed this week on Tokyo and six other areas.

Tokyo’s nightlife districts of Shibuya, Akasaka and Ginza areas were much quieter than usual overnight as the state of emergency took effect, however, cities have not shut down and many workers are still commuting to offices by day.

The central bank warned that the coronavirus pandemic had created an “extremely high” level of uncertainty for the world’s third-largest economy, with regional economies facing their worst conditions since the global financial crisis a decade ago.

Japanese authorities are hoping to contain the outbreak without imposing a mandatory lockdown that could deal a major blow to an economy already struggling to cope.

Report says the state of emergency gives local governors stronger legal authority to urge people to stay home and businesses to close.

In contrast to lockdowns in some countries enforced by fines and arrests for non-compliance, Japan is relying more on peer pressure and a tradition of respect for authority.

Japan, where a cruise ship offshore was once the biggest source of infections outside China, had early success in limiting the coronavirus.

However, authorities have become more alarmed in recent weeks by a surge in local transmission.

According to NHK, the number of infections rose by 384 to 5,356, while the death toll edged up by 1 to 106.

During a daily live YouTube broadcast, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said the capital had 181 new cases, the highest daily jump.

“I am asking for your cooperation to protect your life, protect your family, protect your colleagues and society,” she said.

Kyodo news agency reported that while Tokyo and the central government have been discussing what kind of businesses they will ask to close, Koike is considering making her own decision if they fail to reach an agreement.

Hideaki Omura, governor of Aichi prefecture, which includes the city of Nagoya and hosts Toyota Motor Corp, said he would declare a state of emergency on Friday even if the central government did not add it to the national list.

“If we watch what’s happened in the last week it doesn’t look good and so we’re making preparations,” he said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a news briefing that there was no need now to add Aichi and other areas to the national list. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Abiodun Oluleye/Isaac Aregbesola