The governors of Tokyo and Osaka opened the door to declare another virus emergency in Japan’s largest metropolitan areas as infections increase, adding to the challenges facing an Olympic Games in less than 100 days. in the capital.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters late Sunday that she had instructed officials to consider the state of emergency as an option to limit infection numbers that rose over the weekend to the highest in more than two months, when the latest statement was in effect in the capital. Her comments came when a new poll revealed widespread opposition to holding the postponed 2020 Games in the city.
In Osaka, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told a news conference on Monday that he will seek a state of emergency as the number of infections hit record highs this month. The public statements are pressuring Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government to make a decision, which, according to local media, could come as early as this week.
Suga, who would call after consulting with experts, earlier this month stepped up virus restrictions in Tokyo, Osaka and other regions and imposed measures similar to those in an emergency. The prime minister now has little left in his toolkit to control the latest wave, with vaccinations progressing slowly and not accelerating until May.
The measures in effect now call for bars and restaurants to close at 8 p.m., and those who fail to comply will be fined. Incentives are given to eateries that follow virus guidelines, such as maintaining adequate space between tables.
Even under current measures, commuter trains are packed as crowds flock to shops and restaurants. Civil liberties enshrined in Japan’s constitution prevent a lockdown backed by police action from being imposed.
Tokyo may want to lift those restrictions by asking restaurants to close if a state of emergency is declared, TV network TBS reported without saying where it got the information from. Tightening measures beyond current restrictions could increase the risk of a double dip recession and deal a severe blow to thousands of eateries struggling to survive.
“If not only restaurants but other stores are asked to close, the economic impact could be significant and we could see another contraction in the second quarter,” said IHS Markit economist Harumi Taguchi.
The Japanese prime minister is facing a backlash from an audience concerned that the Summer Olympics – one of the biggest global events of the pandemic era – could be a superspreader event. The Games have been delayed for a year, and 73% of those surveyed over the weekend said they were against the event being held from July as planned, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Japanese broadcaster ANN.
About the same percentage of respondents wanted the government to declare a state of emergency and take tougher prevention measures. Recorded daily cases in Tokyo hit 759 Saturday, the highest since the end of January.
Suga has tried to move the economy forward while keeping things in check to appease voters, many of whom see he is slow in enforcing measures to combat infections and putting the economy above public health concerns. The prime minister must strike a careful balance ahead of a party leader vote in September, which will determine whether he stays on – or joins the long list of short-lived leaders.
Suga visited Joe Biden at the White House on Friday and became the first foreign leader to have a face-to-face meeting with the US president since he took office. Biden repeated his support for Tokyo hosting the Olympics at the summit.
Suga, who has touted the Olympics as an opportunity to prove the world has beaten the virus, has faced pushback from his own ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Last week, LDP stalwart Toshihiro Nikai said canceling the Games in Tokyo was an option as the country grapples with the increase in the number of cases.
Despite rising numbers in Japan, the country has by far the fewest recorded Covid-19 cases and deaths of any Group of Seven countries.
– With the help of Lily Nonomiya, Isabel Reynolds and Yoshiaki Nohara
Updates with report on possible closure of the restaurant