TOKYO:Japan declared a limited state of emergency in the capital, Tokyo, and three neighbouring prefectures on Thursday to stem the spread of the coronavirus, resisting calls from some medics for wider curbs due to the economic damage they would cause.
The government said the one-month emergency would run from Friday to Feb. 7 in Tokyo and Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures, covering about 30% of the country's population. Restrictions would centre on combating transmission in bars and restaurants, which the government says are main risk areas.
The curbs are narrower in scope than those imposed in April under an emergency that ran to late May. At that time, the curbs were nationwide and schools and non-essential businesses were mostly shuttered. This time, schools are not being closed.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government is seeking to limit damage to the world's third-biggest economy while striving to defeat the virus once and for all as it looks ahead to staging the postponed summer Olympics.
"The global pandemic has been a tougher one than we expected, but I'm hopeful we can overcome this," Suga told a televised news conference.
"For this to happen, I must ask citizens to endure life with some restrictions."
Some medical experts have said they fear the government's plan for limited restrictions might not be enough.
"We may need to think about a state of emergency nationwide," Toshio Nakagawa, president of the Japan Medical Association, said on Wednesday.
Suga said damage to the economy was inevitable but he would aim to protect jobs and businesses with a 70 trillion yen ($670 billion) stimulus package, which is being rolled out.
Japan, though less seriously hit by the pandemic than many places, has been unable to rein in the virus to the extent some countries in the region have, with recorded daily infections at more than 7,000 for the first time on Thursday, media reported.
Tokyo in particular has been a constant worry with its tally of positive tests jumping to 2,447 on Thursday, from a record of 1,591 the previous day.
In all, Japan has seen 267,000 cases and nearly 3,900 deaths.
Authorities aim to start a vaccination campaign by the end of February.
LIMITING HOURS
The emergency measures include asking restaurants and bars to close by 8 p.m., and residents to refrain from non-urgent outings, more work from home and limiting crowds at sports and other big events to 5,000 people.
Citizens voiced mixed reactions.
"I agree with it. Without an emergency declaration, people would not stop moving around. It may be extended beyond February 7," 20-year-old office worker Kazuki Yamashige told Reuters.
Hiroaki Toyama, 60, who runs human resources business, said the declaration would "throw more eateries and bars out of business and drive up suicides. That would be serious problem."
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government said earlier that exhibitions of the Olympics torch around the capital had been postponed.
The four prefectures are home to about 150,000 restaurants and bars. Suga has said limiting their hours had helped bring cases down in regions such as Osaka and Hokkaido.
But in a worrying sign, Osaka on Wednesday reported a record 560 new cases while Hokkaido saw cases exceed 100 for the first time in a week.
The prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto were considering requesting a state of emergency, media reported.
According to simulations by Kyoto University scientist Hiroshi Nishiura, infections in Tokyo could reach 3,500 a day by February and hit 7,000 by March without new measures.
Emergency measures could take at least two months to bring infections to manageable levels, he said.
In the meantime, eating and drinking establishments are suffering.
Tokyo-based Teikoku Databank said this week bankruptcies in the sector hit a high of 780 in 2020, up from the previous record of 732. Suga said the government would increase compensation for the restaurant business to 1.8 million yen ($17,400) a month from 1.2 million yen.
Analysts say the new state of emergency would probably trigger an economic contraction in the first quarter - a reversal from a 2.1% annualised expansion forecast in a Reuters poll last month.
Reuters
Fri Jan 08 2021
![Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo area as COVID-19 cases surge Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo area as COVID-19 cases surge](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/41610082070_Tokyo.jpg)
Pedestrians wearing protective masks, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, make their way during a commuting hour at a business district in Tokyo, Japan, January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
![Tokyo lapor enam kematian akibat strok haba Tokyo lapor enam kematian akibat strok haba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720516537_heatstrokealert.jpg)
Tokyo lapor enam kematian akibat strok haba
Enam orang maut akibat strok haba pada hujung minggu di Tokyo, menurut pihak berkuasa perubatan tempatan pada Selasa.
![Iklan Mechamato terpampang di Tokyo curi perhatian netizen Iklan Mechamato terpampang di Tokyo curi perhatian netizen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719310851_mechamato.jpg)
Iklan Mechamato terpampang di Tokyo curi perhatian netizen
Siri animasi Mechamato sekali lagi mencuri perhatian peminat animasi tempatan dan luar negara apabila iklan animasi itu terpampang di papan iklan di Tokyo, baru-baru ini.
![Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81716449486_tbbilateralduahal.jpg)
Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun
Menerusi pertemuan itu, kedua-dua pemimpin dapat menilai kemajuan kerjasama antara Malaysia dan Jepun meliputi pelbagai bidang.
![Hubungan dingin AS-China: Malaysia ambil pendekatan neutral - PM Anwar Hubungan dingin AS-China: Malaysia ambil pendekatan neutral - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61716445120_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Hubungan dingin AS-China: Malaysia ambil pendekatan neutral - PM Anwar
Malaysia mengambil pendirian untuk tidak akan menyebelahi mana-mana pihak susulan ketegangan yang berlaku dalam hubungan antara Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan China.
![Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar: Malaysia zahirkan simpati dan ucap takziah Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar: Malaysia zahirkan simpati dan ucap takziah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81704189446_TBJapanairlinej.jpg)
Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar: Malaysia zahirkan simpati dan ucap takziah
Menurut laporan, kesemua 379 penumpang dan krew penerbangan JAL 516, termasuk 8 kanak-kanak, berjaya diselamatkan, dengan sekurang-kurangnya 17 orang cedera.
![Nahas JAL516: Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar di Lapangan Terbang Haneda Tokyo Nahas JAL516: Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar di Lapangan Terbang Haneda Tokyo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81704189446_TBJapanairlinej.jpg)
Nahas JAL516: Pesawat Japan Airlines terbakar di Lapangan Terbang Haneda Tokyo
Sebuah pesawat Japan Airlines dilaporkan terbakar di Lapangan Terbang Haneda di Tokyo dan anggota bomba dilaporkan sedang bertungkus-lumus memadamkan kebakaran ketika ini.
![Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702899954_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar
Lawatan Perdana Menteri ke Jepun dianggap berjaya dan menggalakkan apabila nilai potensi pelaburan yang dibawa pulang berjumlah RM6.56 bilion.
![AZEC: Kebersamaan semua negara, bantu percepat peralihan tenaga - PM Anwar AZEC: Kebersamaan semua negara, bantu percepat peralihan tenaga - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/51702878080_TBANWARIBRAHIMj.jpg)
AZEC: Kebersamaan semua negara, bantu percepat peralihan tenaga - PM Anwar
Malaysia menekankan kebersamaan semua negara dalam memainkan peranan lebih aktif berkaitan kerjasama dana hijau, insentif, fasilitasi teknologi dan infrastruktur.
![PM Anwar bertemu ahli perniagaan, kapten industri Jepun PM Anwar bertemu ahli perniagaan, kapten industri Jepun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702714240_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
PM Anwar bertemu ahli perniagaan, kapten industri Jepun
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengadakan pertemuan dengan ahli-ahli perniagaan Jepun yang berlangsung di The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.
![Sidang ASEAN-Jepun: PM akan bangkitkan isu perubahan iklim, perjanjian ekonomi, Palestin Sidang ASEAN-Jepun: PM akan bangkitkan isu perubahan iklim, perjanjian ekonomi, Palestin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/81702639970_DutaMalaysiaJepun.jpg)
Sidang ASEAN-Jepun: PM akan bangkitkan isu perubahan iklim, perjanjian ekonomi, Palestin
Penyertaan Anwar bersama pemimpin ASEAN lain pada Sidang Kemuncak Peringatan ASEAN-Jepun dianggap sangat signifikan.