[ad_1]
JapanThe Tokyo Metropolitan Government and its three neighboring prefectures urged the government to declare a state of emergency to stop the rapid growth of the Covid-19 case.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono, Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, and Chiba Prefecture Governor Kensaku Morita today asked Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura to declare the state during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. .
Later, Governor Koike told reporters that the government had to limit the movement of people due to increasing new infections.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (second from right) met with Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura (second from left) and the governors of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures. Image: Nikkei.
Minister Nishimura said that he understood the governors’ difficulties.
“We are taking this request seriously and will consider appropriate action,” he said. “We agree that we are in a dire situation to make sure that the emergency declaration is considered. We will hear expert opinion before making a decision.”
Nishimura called on governors to impose stricter requirements on residents and businesses, such as urging restaurants to shorten opening hours and encouraging businesses to allow employees to work from home. He also suggested that governors ask workplaces and schools to strengthen deterrent measures, emphasizing that governors can tighten event restrictions and gather crowds.
In an earlier meeting with members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Council, Governor Koike said she would “ask Minister Nishimura to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and the three prefectures.
Cases in Tokyo are increasing rapidly. The capital of Japan registered a record 1,337 cases on December 31, the highest level since the outbreak of the disease. Nearby Kanagawa Prefecture recorded 588 cases.
Tokyo authorities have asked restaurants and other facilities to shorten working hours and close before 10 p.m. However, these measures did not have a significant effect, so the capital government asked the government to declare the state of emergency. If the prime minister does not declare a state of emergency, the governor can ask people to limit departures and business closings.
In April, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, before expanding the measure to the entire country. The emergency was lifted on May 25.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met today with Hideki Tarumi, Administrative Under Secretary for Health, Labor and Welfare, to discuss the epidemic situation. Prime Minister Suga will hold a press conference on New Year’s problems on January 4 and announce the details of the countermeasures.
Mr. Suga is in two political battles at the same time: dealing with epidemics and maintaining economic growth. However, the virus is spreading so rapidly that administrators of hospitals and medical facilities are feeling overwhelmed.
At the end of last month, nine medical associations, including the Japan Medical Association, declared a “medical emergency” and said the care centers would not be able to provide conventional medical services should a case occur. Covid-19 continued to rise rapidly. In a recent survey, 48% of those surveyed said the government should declare a state of emergency.
Flee him (According to the Nikkei)
