Essential services to run in Tokyo even in state of emergency: Koike

Today - (Sunday) - my local area was far quieter than any other time I can recall.

I have heard fewer Cars, Trucks, etc, and even the regular Emergency Service drills have been seemingly cancelled, the roads are really quiet. Except, however, for some noisy individuals seek attention by driving around on their loud motorbikes, but then that happens in every Country... hopefully they will eventually see reason.

Restaurants, and non-essential shops were closed today, unlike yesterday, and now there's a sense of deadly stillness everywhere... which is in my years being here, is totally unlike ever I have experienced before.

The Japanese locals really adhere to the recommendations, for weekend isolation, but, when Government bodies resume business as usual during the week days, this does not make sense.

The virus, does not distinguish between weekends and weekdays... why should there be a difference between what has been advised from the Government... at least, some notices upon private businesses had a week-long shutdown advisory notice upon their doorways... but not so, for Public Schools... tomorrow.... :(

If I had access to a Bio-Hazzard suit, I'd go to my local Public school wearing it, in Person, to make that statement ring true with those organizing the event, and to those attending it.... sadly, "Shogunai"...

Same as all other goverment is necessary.

@mmwkdw: Thank You. Very level minded comments. Yes - I agree the 'lockdown' of sorts is inevitable, Sadly we can't discuss how that would work here as most on this forum just want to see the same style of lockdown as is happening in Europe, which I think as a level minded person for many reasons is NOT perhaps the correct answer. It's about personal responsibility here on out (and has been for the last month).

@Zichi - no, he's not the Youngest, to have died from complications caused by this Virus, however, what I do find vile, and contrary to actual Medical practical experience, is the separation of close family members from those infected. This is a CRIME against Humanity!

A Parent being alongside a young child, whispering words of comfort, and encouragement to them, is a whole lot better than a F*****9 beeping machine!!!!

Hospitals need to allow responsibly minded parents, in, having made a decision to be with their offspring and being themselves absolving of any responsibility. Give me a chair - that's all I'd ask.

I for one, would rather that I fall foul of this disease/illness before my KIds, lest I be placed into a position where I have to make a rash action in order to be with them - and as a Parent, "God help me", I will do what I can (within reason) regardless of the (local) consequences.

After this terrible event, I hope those who remain, will create a collective movement to force a change, and make such actions a thing of the past.

Perhaps a Major change could arise, if ALL Japanese Social influencers decided that they too could be Hero's and promoted the Basic guidelines for avoiding distributing this virus further within our Community...

This Virus is unlike others, and has no "Joking about" qualities.

Once you get it, you're stuck with it for life - pretty much like HIV.

If it doesn't kill you now, then you're lucky, but you may still infect others.

Should your own personal condition worsen, then sadly you have a good chance of dying alone

And for Kids, [or the younger generation] this, I feel the most here - more must be done more, to drive the message Home to them directly in a way that they'll understand.

In Japan, shut down the "Pokemon" game, get the likes of Doremon onto TV, promoting good behaviour, likewise those depicted upon the "One Piece" show.... those actions, may alone reach out to may people, more than the one's we are seeing at present.

Peeping_Tom:

The youngest Covid dead is a boy, 14 years old from Portugal,

A perfectly healthy 30 years old teacher and baseball coach, who did not have any health issues, died suddenly a few days ago in New Jersey US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l-pSTXihcY

Unlike early cases (China, Korea, Italy), Japan like in US, it is showing that more young people, who are socially active and perhaps bit over-confident due to earlier information, are in trouble and creating troubles.

The virus fortunately is not very fatal for the younger population, those infected in this age range have generally recovered fine.

I just got word that a friend-of-the-family's 28 year old daughter has died of Covid.

I'll be sure to let them know the virus isn't that fatal to the younger population, and that people in that age range generally recover fine.

I'm sure it will make them feel better.

The number of younger people (20s to 50s) being infected is increasing...

The virus fortunately is not very fatal for the younger population, those infected in this age range have generally recovered fine. Its the grey population, especially over 70 who are bearing the brunt and more most susceptible, these folks need to self isolate..

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/israels-senior-citizens-forced-to-take-on-both-coronavirus-and-loneliness-622546

@Mirai Hayashi: Shut down public transportation? - You are living in LaLa land.

How do you expect younger Doctors. Nurses, Pharmacists, Supermarket Workers, Garbage Collectors etc to get to work?

Its not shutdown for folks working in essential services..

Sure think I had it already which would mean I am immune now. Wish I could get an antibody check, then if proven positive I can go out and help without me being concerned of getting sick.

Mirai HayashiToday 04:33 pm JST

This "kindly refrain from...." weak sauce rhetoric is not working. Their have been another 100+ people infected in the last 24hrs. Th Jgov needs to take more drastic measures and lockdown all major cities. This should be done by shutting down public transportation.

smartest post of the day

It's sad to read texts of writers turning upon each other.

A "lockdown" (of sorts) is certainly inevitable, and indeed is currently being practised by many within Tokyo - hence the quieter streets this weekend - last weekend even the RIght wingers didn't show up in the black buses in my neck of the woods... though the silence was broken by the Governments new flight plans for Haneda airport ! :(

you have been the most vociferous voice of doom about Japans handling of this from a while back now Way back before it was had taken hold in South Korean and Italy..

And rightfully so. The Japanese government should have been taking action to stop the spread of the disease, the day the Diamond Princess showed up at Yokohama pier with infected people on board. Here's the reality: not enough people are taking this seriously here. Thousands of people are still boarding crowded trains every single day and either getting infected, or unknowingly infecting others. Businesses (including bars, food services, and other business that are non-essential) will continue stay open until the government declares a state of emergency, and offers financial help and protection to the people. A government that refuses to do this is NOT an effective government nor is it serving its citizens, and DESERVES to be criticized.

@smith: My company has done everything feasibly possible to protect us. More than half of our staff ARE working from home. The employees remaining ARE spaced out. The workplace is disinfected daily. Of course I'm concerned but its all our jobs to look after ourselves as best as possible too. If there is an infection, then yes, we do have back up plans which have been discussed at length. I am not being forced to work by ANY stretch of the imagination to make that perfectly clear. If you'd actually read my post you'll know that I haven't been on any public transport for quite a while now.

If you have so little confidence in this government (as many of may or may not do) then may i ask why you didn't return at home at the first opportunity because you have been the most vociferous voice of doom about Japans handling of this from a while back now Way back before it was had taken hold in South Korean and Italy.. I don't want to hear 'but Japan is my home' or 'my family is here' etc. I want to know why you stayed after having ample opportunity to return home where I must assume from your comments that your home country IS in lockdown and therefore a lot safer place to be. Shame you're stuck here now.

wtfjapan: "and what if the virus hits your workplace and infects you or others, are you still going to work or quarantine yourself."

Seems he would, since he can't understand the alternative to the "shouganai, gotta pack in the trains, but hey... tonight I'll avoid a less crowded bar (than the train) and that'll cancel out the train ride."

I think America is WAY too litigious a society in general, but when I think of Japan -- or how the courts are rigged regardless -- I think it is not enough. Someone who gets sick and possibly dies (in which case, their loved ones) after being forced to work should sue the company for millions of dollars. And those around that person should sue for millions for being put at risk. Won't happen, of course, given that abuse of employees is part and parcel of the culture here, to the point where we have no English equivalent of "karoshi" unless it's an explanation. With Corona, it's a different kind of karoshi the government seems to want, though.

It's very sad when you have to explain common sense to adults.

Numan

Martial law does not exist in Japan. It is unconstitutional, and cannot be legally enforced. That is why the Diet had to create a special ad hoc law, limited to a maximum of two years. And only applicable exclusively for the coronavirus. A very lax law compared to other countries, precisely because a harsher one would enter fully into a situation of unconstitutionality.

And all because at certain parties in the Diet. They flatly refuse to update an obsolete constitution written in 1946. Where a state of emergency is not properly specified.

This "kindly refrain from...." weak sauce rhetoric is not working. Their have been another 100+ people infected in the last 24hrs. Th Jgov needs to take more drastic measures and lockdown all major cities. This should be done by shutting down public transportation.

i agree with everything that was said in this post ... except with the last sentence ... you, ve been watching too many post-apocalyptic tv shows or something ...

Tokyo residents will be asked to refrain from leaving their homes but essential services will remain in operation should Japan declare a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus, Gov Yuriko Koike says.

The guidelines, announced in advance to prevent public confusion, said stores selling essential items such as food and medical supplies, and services necessary to keep society and the economy running such as banks will remain in operation even during a state of emergency.

The metropolitan government will request facilities and event organizers to limit or cease their activities to prevent further spread of the virus. It also plans to establish a call center to handle inquiries from citizens and business operators.

OK with all of this ... makes sense ...

but please enough with this “would be” talk and “requests”(?!!) to stay home on weekends ( apparently in Japan the virus is lazy on weekdays and rests during weekdays which must be really nice given the fact that a week has seven(!) days ). enough with that nonsense.

state of emergency and lockdown... before it,s too late. good timing is everything.

What would you suggest? Looking forward to more pearls of wisdom from you.

and what if the virus hits your workplace and infects you or others, are you still going to work or quarantine yourself. Remember this virus has a high number of asymptomatic infected

unfortunately its going to take a drastic rise in the number of dead japanese before anybody takes this virus seriously , and yes I mean office workers also,everybody, its takes at least 80% of the population to quarantine at home for at least 2 weeks. If authorities continue to drag their feet the pandemic will make the last earthquake pale in comparison in terms of the dead. Driving to the supermarket today and i still saw people in the park under the cherry blossoms. the ignorance is breathtaking. Viruses love ignorance and time

Um, that's why they're called "essential" services.

How do you expect younger Doctors. Nurses, Pharmacists, Supermarket Workers, Garbage Collectors etc to get to work?

That might be true, but other than martial law, this would be another effective way to reduce the number of people outside especially young people. It would at least confine them to their neighborhoods for a large majority of people. It would make it hard for companies to make employees come in.

That is what we want in a lockdown, right?

@Mirai Hayashi: Shut down public transportation? - You are living in LaLa land.

How do you expect younger Doctors. Nurses, Pharmacists, Supermarket Workers, Garbage Collectors etc to get to work?

I absolutely cannot do my job from home @smithinjapan. It is not in my mind - nor in my bosses mind and we are all in agreement. It is however, not an essential service.

I have biked to work for 3 weeks now, I have not been to a bar or a restaurant - but you are adamant that 'ANY' company can have all their employees WFH?

What would you suggest? Looking forward to more pearls of wisdom from you.

Mirai Hayashi

Shutting down public transportation would be disastrous. Not everyone can work remotely. Supermarkets, drugstores, food manufacturing and distribution plants, hospitals and many other places have to remain functioning, even in a state of emergency. They employ tens of thousands of people. Without public transportation, they could not get to work.

In my opinion, the biggest problem is the nightlife. That's where I think the strictest lockdown should be. Bars, clubs, restaurants, pachinko, karaoke, yakatabune need to closed. The number of younger people (20s to 50s) being infected is increasing and they are the ones frequenting nightlife areas.

This "kindly refrain from...." weak sauce rhetoric is not working. Their have been another 100+ people infected in the last 24hrs. Th Jgov needs to take more drastic measures and lockdown all major cities. This should be done by shutting down public transportation.

Asahi reporting 120 new cases in Tokyo today. Elsewhere an unnamed senior LDP official claims a state of emergency is imminent, though by Japanese standards that could mean a few more days.

If they want to avert catastrophe, it better come before Monday morning rush hour.

So, it'll be a state of emergency in which people are demanded to stay home... that's optional? I mean, I already have a few friends who have to keep going to work at their companies because their boss says, "It is an essential service to society," (they most certainly are not, except in their minds) so I would imagine any other companies can follow suit. In other words, it'll be a lip-service emergency.