As the capital of Japan, if Tokyo announces a state of emergency, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama may have to follow. (Image via Live Japan)

Lockdown lurks, Japan worried

As the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, stated that the Japanese Government is considering a state of emergency in Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama, due to a surge of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases during the New Year's holidays, the Japanese people's reactions are divided. Suga stated that the state of emergency might be announced this week and last for about a month.

On Saturday, Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures requested the central government to announce another state of emergency. The request followed the report of more than 1,300 new COVID-19 cases in a day, for the first time. They are between the devil and the deep blue sea, as the Japanese people's livelihood is battered and the healthcare is also strained.

As Suga stated on Monday that the central government will contemplate the request, the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, stated that she would implement measures so that the state of emergency will be effective. Moreover, Koike also urged businesses to telework and reduce commuting hours. Echoing Koike, Governor of Chiba, Kensaku Morita, stated that the state of emergency would be Japan's trump in tackling COVID-19. While the economy might take the beating, it is proven effective in curbing the infection.

First, the reaction came from the opposition. They said that the state of emergency is far too late and it will not do much. The question remains is whether it is enough to just declare it in Tokyo and its three vicinities. They also accused the Japanese Government of always ending up acting too late after the mishap had just taken place. They regretted that the state of emergency should have been placed at the end of 2020.

Furthermore, the Japanese businesses might be battered even harder by the state of emergency. While they understand that it might be inevitable, they are worried about the financial supports for the food and beverage industry. On Monday, pubs, restos, and karaokes serving booze in Tokyo and its three vicinities are asked to cut their business hours by 8 p.m. Therefore, they cannot expect sales at night.

Tired of having to adhere to the state of emergency, they urge the Japanese Government to focus on getting the infection to zero. Due to the state of emergency, the F&B sales nosedived by over 90 percent.

On the contrary, many prefectural leaders support the state of emergency. As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is connected with its three vicinities. Should these four prefectures be unable to contain the COVID-19, the other prefectures and regions will also be overwhelmed.

For the Japanese people, the state of emergency is inevitable indeed. They understand as well that it is essential for them to unite and share the mutual sense of crisis in obeying the declaration. Moreover, they have tried their best to adhere to the health protocol against COVID-19, by staying home. As the majority of them know that saving lives is far more important than salvaging the economy.

On the other hand, many of them also think that the declaration by the Japanese Government is late. One of the concerns is regarding the school closure.

Source: https://bit.ly/38etW5R