Japan extends coronavirus state of emergency as infections rise

The state of emergency orders companies to encourage their staff to work from home and reduce the office population by 70%. Residents of affected areas are also urged to avoid non-essential outings and restaurants should stop serving alcohol at 7 p.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Sporting and entertainment events in Japan are also advised to limit the number of participants.

Suga asked for the public’s cooperation after announcing the expanded measures on Wednesday.

“I hope people understand that this is a necessary step to improve this difficult situation. We will do whatever we need to do. I apologize for the inconvenience caused in your life with many restrictions, but we have to overcome this, “he said at a press conference.

“I would like to ask for the cooperation of the people.”

However, unlike a number of other countries that have introduced lockdowns and social distancing measures, Japan lacks a lot of legal powers to force compliance with government orders. The country is also grappling with coronavirus fatigue, having been among the first to be affected by the pandemic, and mixed messages in recent months.

Speaking after the Tokyo emergency order, Satoshi Kamayachi, a doctor and a member of the government’s expert advisory committee, told CNN affiliate TV Asahi that “the time was not long enough for to curb the outbreak of infection, we must further reduce human contact “.

Japanese officials are believed to be reluctant to introduce a full lockdown or other stricter emergency measures for fear of harming the economy. The country is also once again facing tough decisions regarding OIympics, which were due to take place last summer but have ultimately been postponed as the pandemic spreads around the world.

The Tokyo Games are scheduled this summer from July 23 to August 8, according to the International Olympic Committee, with clean opening and closing ceremonies as part of a “global simplification of the Games”.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government last week said it would postpone upcoming Tokyo Olympics torch displays “to reduce the flow of people and prevent the spread of Covid-19.” The torch was on display in several municipalities from November and was due to restart this week.

In a New Year’s address to the staff of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee this week, President Yoshiro Mori said preparations would go “as planned”, adding that “I think everything would be affected if I scratched my head. or if I showed any indecision. “

“We will come out of this dark tunnel in cooperation with you. I would like you all to do your best until the end to bring joy and hope to many people in the belief that spring comes after the winter and that morning always comes after a long night, ”Mori said.

Speaking to CNN, former senior International Olympic Committee official Dick Pound said it was unlikely the Games could be postponed again, so any further delay would likely result in their cancellation.

“The one-year postponement was a proposal from Japan, the organizing committee said ‘look, we can hold this together for another year, but no more,’” he said. “Postponing another year, for example, will have a huge cost, which Japan may not be prepared to shoulder. It will further complicate a busy sporting schedule … you’re going to have the World Cup and the football going on., and at one point, it’s just that there is too much congestion in the whole system. “

He rejected the suggestion that the Tokyo Olympics could be postponed to 2024, and all planned host cities moved forward in turn, as they were from people “with no conception of what that (plan) means in life. real ”.