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The further extension of the new coronavirus emergency declaration for the Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba metropolitan areas was officially decided on the 5th. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was aware of the “backwards” criticism of Corona’s response and He put his decision to the fore. However, it’s been two months since the announcement that it will “definitely get better in a month.” The public is forced to put up with it without a clear explanation of the cancellation criteria and why it is extended for two weeks. (Mikihiko Ueno)
◆ I want to get ahead of the governors
At a press conference on the night of the 5th, the prime minister emphasized: “We considered it comprehensively and decided to extend it as prime minister.”
In the background, it was noted that there was a delay due to the response of the crown such as the announcement of the declaration in January and the suspension time of the tourism support project “Go To Travel”.
The January statement was issued after the number of newly infected people dramatically increased and a request was received from the governors of Tokyo and three prefectures, including Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. Initially, it targeted only the Tokyo metropolitan area, but in less than a week it had to expand to the Kansai and Chukyo areas, and was criticized for the prime minister’s perspective.
Once again, it was the governor who first showed the decision to extend again. While considering the cancellation, the prime minister announced the extension again on the 3rd, taking the initiative without waiting for discussion from experts such as the government’s crown countermeasures subcommittee. It is clear that Koike and his colleagues were aware of the decision before petitioning the government, and PLD executives say “I don’t want to be influenced again.”
◆ Where does the “2 weeks” start?
With the increasing color of political decisions, the cancellation criteria have become ambiguous.
At the time of the announcement in January, Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of economic revitalization, explained that as a guideline for the cancellation, he would determine whether the level had dropped to the “stage 3 equivalent” indicated by the subcommittee. While the numbers are clarified, the conclusion is extended again. The prime minister cited “narrow beds” as the main reason, but Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato admits that “there is no definition of tightness.”
The prime minister emphasized that he would like to reduce the number to a certain level or more. A senior government official explained: “It is different from January. Even if the number of infected people decreased, new problems emerged such as rebounds.” I have to decide “.
The basis of the two weeks is also unclear. Mr. Nishimura said, “Based on data analysis, it will be possible (to improve bed utilization) in two weeks,” but even within administration, “because people will not be able to continue even if it is said to be another. month “(Prime Minister (Around),” The deadline was set before the Tokyo Olympics torch relay starting on the 25th “(Liberal Democratic Party Executive).” There is no rational reason for this period “said an official in the Prime Minister’s Office.
◆ Specific measures …
There is no guarantee that the situation will improve just because the statement is due. The chairman of the subcommittee, Shigeru Omi, mentions that the decrease in the number of recently infected people may have stopped decreasing, but the mainstay of the measure is “Completely reduce short-term sales (in restaurants), teleworking and the flow of people. I want to do it “(Mr. Nishimura).
In March, events such as popular movements, cherry blossom viewing, and welcome and farewell parties will be popular. Last year, the number of people increased during consecutive month-end holidays, and the infection spread rapidly. Experts and the ruling party have expressed concern that “even if it is extended, the situation will not change unless some measures are taken” (a veteran legislator), who asked to strengthen transmission, but the effect is unknown.
