Aerial view of Japan. (Image via Pinsent Masons)

Japanese people's reaction on the 2nd state of emergency

Starting on Thursday, Japan expanded the state of emergency to prevent the number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases to blow up. However, it seemed that the state of emergency fell on deaf ears as the Japanese people are ignoring the government's plea to refrain from non-essential travels. For instance, people in Osaka, Fukuoka, and seven other prefectures imposed with a state of emergency are still commuting.

Speaking to the reporters, the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, is worried that if the negligence persists, the COVID-19 cases might not be contained. While the state of emergency means that people should stay home, Koike said that the essence of the policy is to reduce physical contact. The Governor then asserted that the virus will not stop if they don't listen to the official guidelines. Therefore, Koike urged people to stop going out if unnecessary.

Over the past month, the COVID-19 infection and mortality in Japan doubled to 302,000 and 4,200 respectively. On Thursday, even Tokyo reported 1,502 cases.

State of emergency, covering half of Japan's population, means that the businesses are asked to close by 8 p.m, and about 70 percent of workers are obliged to telework. Moreover, people should refrain from going out if unnecessary. Sports and other major events are asked to reduce its capacity as well. Currently, the state of emergency is covering Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Tochigi prefectures.

Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, said that the measure is essential to prevent the infection from spilling to smaller towns where the healthcare facility is weak. While the situation is severe, the request from the Japanese Government is unfortunately non-binding; therefore, it relies on people's awareness and conscience, and nobody will be punished.

Suga's administration was also criticized for being late in announcing the state of emergency. Previously, Suga pledged to revise the law to give his administration the authority to release binding measures, meaning penalties for the disobedient. Moreover, should the infection persist and even worsen, the Minister of Economic Revitalization and in charge of COVID-19 response, Yasutoshi Nishimura, predicted that the state of emergency might be expanded and extended.

The former WHO regional director and head of COVID-19 taskforce, dr. Shigeru Omi, stated that if the one-month decree is proven ineffective, there might be a necessity to lock down the country as the healthcare facility is strained by the mass COVID-19 cases and mortality. Even worse, the hotels are now designated as facilities for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.

Source: https://bit.ly/3qnYlVG