Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Tokyo Seeks New State of Emergency as Virus Cases Rise

Published 22/04/2021, 12:18 pm
Updated 22/04/2021, 12:36 pm
© Reuters.

© Reuters.

(Bloomberg) -- Tokyo is seeking to reimpose a state of emergency, with the Japanese government expected to announce details Friday, as virus cases surge three months before the capital is set to host the delayed Olympic Games.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike made the request to the central government Thursday, she told reporters, adding the extent of restrictions to be introduced was still under discussion. The government will hold a meeting of its virus task force Friday, the Asahi newspaper said, at which the measures are likely to be announced.

The western city of Osaka, which has been hit with a record rise in cases, has also asked for the restrictions, while media reports said neighboring Hyogo and Kyoto may also be covered by the new declaration. The emergency is likely to be in place from April 25 to May 11, covering the “Golden Week” string of national holidays, Jiji Press said.

While Japan has so far succeeded in keeping coronavirus infections and deaths at far lower levels than those seen in much of Europe and the U.S., its vaccine program has yet to kick into high gear, meaning restricting activities is the most powerful tool Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has now for reining in case numbers.

Japan Aims for Tokyo, Osaka Virus Emergency Decision This Week

Suga has said he will examine the contents of requests from local governments to declare a state of emergency and wants to make a decision as soon as this week.

Central and local governments are tussling over how harsh the measures should be under the third emergency since the pandemic broke out, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. Stricter regulations, including an unprecedented ban on sales of alcohol at bars and restaurants, are among the proposals being discussed.

But tighter restrictions on activity could delay the economy’s recovery, deal a heavy blow to struggling businesses and further test the resolve of policy makers and Olympic organizers to press ahead with the Summer Games, set to start in July after a one-year delay.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.