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Japan extends, expands state of emergency as cases surge

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By YURI KAGEYAMA

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81 Comments

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Because the last 4 SoEs were so effective....

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@AntiquesavingToday 09:36 am JST

This false. A simple look at Tohoku forced evacuation, etc.. proves that wrong.

IIRC, Kenny actually replied you on a very similar point in the last COVID-19 whinethread, pointing out that there is no such thing as an Evacuation Order, only Evacuation Recommendations (I think he said Advisory, but Recommendation is in the most recent governmental English pamphlet) and Evacuation Instruction, and the former is being scrapped this year for sake of avoiding confusion.

While in the perception of laymen an instruction is "forced", the fact is that it is not an order. It does not create a legally binding obligation for you to obey, and no penalties are applicable for non-conformance. With so many Tohoku evacuees, even figuring they are relatively obedient Japanese sheep statistics will say some must have not complied with the instructions. Have you ever heard of penalties inflicted on them?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hello there

Just tried making a reservation at a nice yakiniku spot and was informed no alcohol was being served. What's the point?

Maybe to eat yakiniku without alcoholic beverages like many people do?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

cleoToday  04:01 pm JST

Thanks at least I didn't have to explain that again.

Has I been opened my Caffe in the last months of 2019 and a month or 2 ( like you cannot remember the exact dates) made even a few sales then gone through all the needed paperwork I would have maybe gotten ¥100,000 a month yep for most not even enough for rent.

The idea that somehow you could keep a business closed pay the rent, etc.. on anything the government is offering is crazy even crazier is thinking you could make money at it.

(and yes for my already open business and after a lot lot lot of paperwork I did get the one time payment and it was non stop " oh do you have this, ok now do you have that on and on) I applied in 2020 when it was first announced and got the minimum amount offered in my account January 2021

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You and I will open a bar (in Japanese person's name of course) - never open it because of SOE rules, then just sit back and watch the Covid welfare cash pile up. Sound good?

It's my understanding that businesses and enterprises that started up only after a certain date prior to the rise of Covid (can't remember the exact date, sometime in 2019 I think) are not eligible for any 'Covid welfare cash'.

So no, you got the expense of setting up a bar and no money coming in.

Plus false claims made knowingly are very definitely illegal and sternly frowned upon.

Don't sound good at all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@ FIT...The idea that bars and restaurants should close during the only time period they can earn money is just absolutely idiotic and cruel from the perspective of employees who need a salary and businesses who don't want to go bankrupt.

Not true. In fact, let me know if you want to invest in my get-rich idea. You and I will open a bar (in Japanese person's name of course) - never open it because of SOE rules, then just sit back and watch the Covid welfare cash pile up. Sound good?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

nonsensical

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I nominate "surge" as the most over- and mis-used word of the year. Every small increase in Covid is labelled a "surge", with the subtext that we are supposed to panic about it. Scaremongering nonsense.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

has reached an extremely serious and critical state that puts human life at risk

And that needed about two years and 15,300 dead to just become recognized and a statement, of course not yet any strategy or working countermeasures, only a first statement?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Repetition of declaration of state of emergency in Japan means that Suga government's virus measures failed.

This year, Japan cities spend most days under "emergency declaration".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Yubaru

How should I know that you are talking about Obon In Okinawa?

Do you know that there are other islands belonging Japan besides Okinawa?

Or is Okinawa the only one you know?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not in my home country.

Here in japan.

I don't know if you read my posts sometimes, but I am living here in Japan since many many years.

And if you have been living here for as long as "many many years" you would KNOW that there are three Obon and not need to make snarky replies like this.

Ah...OK...I guess you are living in Okinawa.

Now I understand your "mainland" post.

Yes you are right, Obon in Okinawa is this weekend.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Abe is looking a little better at management than Suga.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Yubaru...

Ah...OK...I guess you are living in Okinawa.

Now I understand your "mainland" post.

Yes you are right, Obon in Okinawa is this weekend.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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1 ( +4 / -3 )

Under the law a bar or restaurant needs a special license to serve alcohol after midnight.

What you are referring to is called

深夜酒類提供飲食店営業届け

And you are supposed to submit it to your local police station. As the name implies, it is a notification that you are submitting. It can not be revoked.

As I said before, your knowledge about Japanese law is zero. And now go and read the books.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Ashley ShibaToday  01:46 pm JST

I take the virus very seriously.

I lost 3 family members back home and my friend's son.

So take what I am about to say in that context.

Calm down!

Get your vaccine, take basic precautions and go about your day.

As for your water thing!

Why are you going to fill a water bottle?

Get a good filter that attached to the tap not the silly little things a large standing one goes on the side of the sink same filtered water you are going to get but at least you know if the filter has been changed and the cost is cheap in the long run.

And you avoid having to go to the mall.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

theResidentToday  01:32 pm JST

@Antiquesaving: Open up - earn some money. Even places in my neighbourhood that followed the 'requests' to a tee have given up since the SOE was extended to the 31st August (let alone the 12th Sep)

There is a big difference between Japanese and Gaijin.

I have my main business, I am a master craftsman in a Nationally designated cultural heritage craft.

It took 10 years of apprenticeship to reach this point.

The Caffe is an add-on originally intended to bring people in ( I was hoping for Olympic tourist. That didn't work out!)

But the simplest reason not to open to the public is the virus even my retired master says all it would take is one person to catch the virus and it be even remotely connected with me ( again a Gaijin) and my reputation and everything he and I have done over the past 10 years would be finished.

This applies to a far lesser degree to a fully Japanese business that is well established but not a Gaijin business.

Look at how panicked the Japanese public is/was about the possibility of "foreigners" bringing the virus to Japan during the Olympics, despite the fact every variant was already here and spreading locally.

For now the Caffe stays closed the atelier is off limits to outsiders my retired master is kind enough for now, to deal face to face with reluctant clients when needed.

Yes Japan can be a difficult place to understand but at the same time their are People like my Master that are extremely helpful and kind.

I will survive, I survived 10 years of him yelling at me and throwing things ( in a kind way hahaha) this little bump will pass.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

 I will not be going out anywhere today that is for sure I am staying in all day.

A bit hysterical. It’s good to get out for a walk to get fresh air.

Some get claustrophobic at home and feel like the walls are closing in.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I posted this last night Ashley? Are you for real?

Aug. 16  07:11 pm JSTPosted in: Tokyo reports 2,962 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 14,854  See in context

Ashley, - I don't understand your behavior. You preach about not going out at all, but you're filling your water bottles in a busy mall.

Filling your water bottles? From where the infected may have drunk.

Hello?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

@monty

@yubaru

Don't get confused between Obon and summer vaccation.

I recommend you to check what Obon means and when it is.

I highly recommend you take your own advice!

Hence the "mainland-centric" reply I made to you. There are 3 "Obon" in Japan and all are at different times. First in July, on the 13th through 15th, second in August, again the 13th through 15th, and the third, not set, but based upon the lunar calendar. O'bon here starts this Friday and ends on Sunday! which

Live and learn!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Antiquesaving: Open up - earn some money. Even places in my neighbourhood that followed the 'requests' to a tee have given up since the SOE was extended to the 31st August (let alone the 12th Sep).

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@jimizo

In which country are you? Is that your home country?

Not in my home country.

Here in japan.

I don't know if you read my posts sometimes, but I am living here in Japan since many many years.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Under the law a bar or restaurant needs a special license to serve alcohol after midnight.

To shut these places down is easy revoke their license the same applies to any established refusing to comply.

I have a restaurant license I can in theory remain open until midnight serving food and drink but after midnight I can no longer serve alcohol.

A simple change to the regulations and any violation means losing your license.

It is that easy.

Worse is probably 80% don't actually meet the full requirements anyway so just threatening to fully informed the regulations would shut most down.

My place is newly renovated ( no not open no point at this time) but I got my permits despite the fact I am not actually fully compliant ( something about the type of floor in the kitchen area) but because of what I plan on doing the inspector let it slide and this is done quite often for things like not having a proper hand washing sink for customers, to the type of counter tops in the kitchen.

Crackdown on any on the books infraction.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

In my company, we are about 1500 workers and I would say 95% including family members took it.

In which country are you? Is that your home country?

Here in Japan, the take up rate is high in society as a whole.

The idea of a 15% take up rate in a Japanese company is astonishingly low. It’s bordering on unbelievable. I’d love to know what kind of company this is. It seems like a real outlier.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

JimizoToday  12:41 pm JST

Nothing that was say was fact.

I basically waste time until I realised he/she is an anti vaxxers and will claim anything to make their point look factual

My Daughter works for a Japanese companies, not only did nearly everyone want the vaccine but the employees also tried getting family into the company program unfortunately the company didn't have enough.

My son starts with a new large company this week and they are going to vaccinate him, nearly everyone in the company is vaccinated and this company secured enough to also do a number of family members and that is why he can get vaccinated this late because as a new employee he takes precedence over family.

My daughter's friends that do not work for large companies providing vaccine keep telling her how lucky she is as they have to wait for the city to open up appointments.

Everything he/she said contradicts the fact that people are waiting for vaccine and cities are scrambling to procure more vaccine to meet the demand.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@Yayo and Jimizo

My team has 21 people in it and just 3 of them took the offer. (Needless to say that I wasn't amongst them)

In my company, we are about 1500 workers and I would say 95% including family members took it.

Some didn't want it, but a very less amount.

In the beginning many staff didn't want to take it, but my company did a very very good information before the vaccination starts, and then many people changed their mind and took the vaccine.

Of course, it is not published at my company who took it or not, but I guess 95% took it.

Because staff talk to each other and everyone I talked to about the vaccine, took it.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The onus, whether by draconian fiat or as a citizen engaged in the common good - is to practice protocols - get inoculated when vaccine is available and avoid the atavistic behavior found overseas. Anecdotal accounts are informative - but are simply isolated and non-representational. Abstract scenarios about masks and train operators are moot except as personal recitations.

In actuality the populous, is commendable in comparison to European and American countries. The numbers are still fairly low - testing or not - the true indicator is hospitalizations and one can employ mathematics to gauge a true number of infections.

The key to 'stopping' the pandemic is inoculation. Also key is locking down the borders. Alongside cancelling international events like the Olympics and Paralympics, which is the fault of the central government.

All our faculty & staff have been inoculated, twice and protocols remain in place. Which should be the path of the response to the pandemic.

If that happens the pandemic will burn out. However, opening the borders to tourism will simply enflame the situation. It should be locked down until next summer.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Then why are all the bars in Shibuya and Roppongi still open till 4am or later?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My team has 21 people in it and just 3 of them took the offer. (Needless to say that I wasn't amongst them)

Incredibly low. Fascinating. Tell me more about your workplace. Do people sanitize their hands and wear masks?

I had a very similar conversation with another poster here. His/her situation was almost identical to yours. This interests me as at my workplace and the people around me tell me almost all workers took up the company jab.

Your roughly 15% take up rate for the jab is truly astounding.

Was anything said by management?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

yayo90Today 09:18 am JST

The government has given up. No clue, no plan, no idea, nothing except hot air and a meaningless SOE.

The government has done everything that's in its power.

No, they haven't and they won't because:

1) Laws forcing people to do stuff would be wildly unpopular with voters.

2) They want to use the pandemic to change the Constitution.

3) They want to avoid any responsibility for anything.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

For Those Seeking Vaccination Sites in Japan,

https://v-sys.mhlw.go.jp/search/

Find an inoculation venue| Corona Vaccine Navi | Ministry of Health, (mhlw.go.jp)

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Richard OgleToday  11:27 am JST

Get your jabs in live your life. Stop depending on a government to save you

Great now tell us where to get vaccinated?

Oh right from the government controlled vaccine program.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@yubaru

Don't get confused between Obon and summer vaccation.

I recommend you to check what Obon means and when it is.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just tried making a reservation at a nice yakiniku spot and was informed no alcohol was being served. What's the point? Crowded trains and people out and about after 8 anyways. The whole thing is a joke.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Obon is finished!

Mainland-centric comment. OBon is far from "finished!"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Who cares anymore !!!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

What! No quasi?

It’s pretty obvious that the virus control measures taken under the SOE are not working with new cases hovering around 5,000 in Tokyo. Could be time to increase the restrictions coz whatever they are doing is not working.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It seems to me the only people actually affected by the SOE are those people who want to go for a drink after work. The local restaurants and bars have made an absolute killing this year with the support from the government for closing. Teachers are all at school. Office workers are all in the office. All the oldies still seem to be visiting their health clubs and aerobics classes as usual. Young people are out shopping and sipping coffees at the weekend, and I constantly see young families on TV out enjoying various kiddy attractions. Open the bars up already, I need a drink!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

“The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after meeting with other ministers about the move.

'Alarming' eh?!

It's a shame that the alarms have only just started going off in Suga's head. He's been deaf to all the other alarms people have been sounding for months on end.

Notice that it's only now becoming 'alarming' after meeting with other ministers, and not after the meetings previously with health and medical experts - who were very publicly sounding alarms. Is there an election coming up by any chance? Are people getting worried about not getting reelected to their cushy jobs? Has Suga heard Abe wants his job back?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Monty Today  10:22 am JST

80% is just my personal safety rule.

The optimum should be 90% because the delta variant is so contagious now.

On my side, I would be happy to see 70% of people fully vaccinated but I doubt this can be achieved in Japan this year. Let's cross the fingers.

After 80% is reached, I will let my personal prevention down.

But until then, even I am fully vaccinated, I will continue with my personal preventions. (wearing mask, use hand sanitizer and keep social distance where it is possible).

Same for me, I feel safer if being fully vaccinated and I keep preventive measures in place.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

yayo90Today 10:06 am JST

On the one hand you talk about the impossibility of enforcing a rule by a GOVERNMENT, on the other hand you show us statements, articles, etc. This is exactly what I wrote about - no one here can do anything without some written procedure, few here can or want to think for themselves. Almost nobody here uses common sense and prefers to wait for instructions from above or just how things turn out.

However, despite the propaganda sauce, you are proving, between the lines, that our government is incompetent and that, for example, private organizations have more options than the entire government. Are you serious? Are you implying some kind of weird company oligarchy nationwide?

And if you are saying that the Japanese government does not have the authority and ability to order in public safety measures, then this government is useless. This is a fundamental matter for the government to decide. And not to make up some nonsense like mascots, childish characters, or get corrupted by big business bosses. But no one here questions the politics, no one is holding them accountable.

You make excuses all the time for the government and its actions and incompetence, but I guess you don't realize that by doing so you are validating the arguments of those who say the government is slow or not acting at all. Also, remember that Japan is not some developing country. It's supposed to be a developed country and most people think of it as such. However, we are worse than developing countries in many ways lately.

And you keep repeating the same argument over and over again. However, the fact remains that many times over the course of a year and a half we have had a head start and the opportunity to prepare in advance for what was happening in other countries. It's just that nobody had some Excel spreadsheet with hanko on it, so nobody just did anything and waited to see how it would go when it got here. And that's exactly what it is - incompetence in crisis management and absolute unpreparedness for extraordinary events. What happens next time there's a new virus? Will Japan again be the only one waiting to see how it all turns out, while others act? When it comes to human health, the lives of us citizens, a lot of things should go by the wayside. And it's important to realize that. And it is possible to function in this way, it is not necessary to immediately create a totalitarian state with a heavy-handed leader.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

@Thetruthisoutthere

If this could be true. So far, no country has fully vaccinated to such a rate

Yes, I know...

80% is just my personal safety rule.

After 80% is reached, I will let my personal prevention down.

But until then, even I am fully vaccinated, I will continue with my personal preventions. (wearing mask, use hand sanitizer and keep social distance where it is possible).

But since I am fully vaccinated, I am feeling much more safer than before.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Monty Today  09:35 am JST

And waiting and of course hoping that soon at least 80% of the japanese population will be vaccinated.

If this could be true. So far, no country has fully vaccinated to such a rate.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Got this from the American Society For Microbiology site,

Q:Will vaccines remain protective against the Delta variant?

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine tested neutralization activity of sera from individuals who had recovered from natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and sera from individuals who had been fully vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer vaccines against infectious B.1.617.2 virus. Data from the study indicated that, on average, the Delta variant was 2.9 times less susceptible to neutralization than the Wuhan strain, but most convalescent serum samples and all vaccination serum samples showed detectable neutralization activity. As a result, researchers concluded that immunity conferred by mRNA vaccines is likely to be retained against the Delta variant.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

@yayo90

The government has done everything that's in its power. Why is it so hard for people on this forum to understand that Japanese law does not allow for any forceful measures?

According to the japanese government, it is possible to change law in order implement more forceful measure in order to reach the expected result. As example, the japanese government, which had no way to punish business refusing to comply with closing request ; thus they passed a law allowing them to fine the said business if they refused and acted the compensation, which was already in place before the law passed. These law can also apply to simple citizen as you can remember at that time they also wanted to pass one fining people refusing hospitalization, give personal information moreover on a higher level than the one for business. Which one had to be retracted thanks to the opposition. So as you can see nothing is stopping the government to implement stronger measures if they feel like it as long as they do not go overboard and face severe backlash from public, opposition and ally.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

"Japanese leaders extend, expand washing their hands from the Covid-19 situation."

There, I fixed the title.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

SOE.............All restaurants must close at At 8 pm and stop serving alcohol, then go to the conbini stock up on alcohol and drink in the park with your friends.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

The government has done everything that's in its power. Why is it so hard for people on this forum to understand that Japanese law does not allow for any forceful measures

This false. A simple look at Tohoku forced evacuation, etc.. proves that wrong.

But putting that aside, if it started with telling the people the truth such as their aren't just 2,962 cases in Tokyo yesterday because it only tests 2,490 people in a prefecture of 14 million.

If the government actually did proper testing revealed the true number of cases and facts regarding the hospital situation perhaps then people would realise the seriousness of the situation.

But it doesn't it perpetuates the false sense of safety by going ahead with the Olympics and Paralympics, it perpetuates the false sense of things are not so bad by testing as few as possible to give the impression the number of cases is far lower than they are.

There is a lot more the government could have done and can do short of full lockdown but that means stopping the masquerade and telling the truth and facts.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Obon is finished!

Since yesterday I am back in the full packed morning and evening trains and back in the full packed office without anyone in home office.

I am fully vaccinated but I still do my best personal prevention by wearing mask, using a lot of hand sanitizer, and keep social distance where it is possible.

And waiting and of course hoping that soon at least 80% of the japanese population will be vaccinated.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

The tally was lower on Monday at under 3,000, but still a a record for a Monday, when, which cover the previous 24 hours are generally lower following the weekend.

Hey somehow 2,962 out if 2,490 tests.

So stay home but we the government will still have a mass gathering event but don't do like we do just do what we say.

"The Olympics," Ozaki added, "is a festival and might have affected the people in ways to loosen up and served as an indirect cause of rising cases."

and this above is what most experts have been pointing out for months.

It is like saying to someone that is thirsty for days " hey don't drink the water here, it isn't very good, then you and your friends proceed to drink it all up* at some point people are going to ignore you not realising you and your friends have special filtering systems available only to you making it possible to drink the water.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Everywhere I go before 8pm, life seems normal in Japan. People are out everywhere. The only exception is everyone is wearing flimsy masks.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Would this be the LDP's SOE, in which the Delta variant is regarded as only being infectious after 8pm?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

It's not a 'state of emergency' , amazed how they can talk about it with a straight face.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Wow, it seems the government has unified everyone behind hating them

Yeah, but you know how it's going to end up. "I hate this government, but I hate thinking, and I hate change even more, so I'll keep voting for them"

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Wow, it seems the government has unified everyone behind hating them. Whether you feel the SOEs are a total joke because they lack logic and teeth or because they infringe upon your freedom, everyone seems to agree that the “let’s just keep doing the thing that’s clearly not working” strategy is dumb as hell.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

“The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after meeting with other ministers about the move.

Thanks sherlock holmes for this wise statement - we the residents were not aware that cases are rising alarmingly….

17 ( +17 / -0 )

The government has given up. No clue, no plan, no idea, nothing except hot air and a meaningless SOE.

A total shambles, beyond disgraceful.

Agree completely. And you know the really scary thing? What you wrote there would have been accurate at any time since the second SOE onwards.

The first one actually had some effect. I'd never seen Tokyo so empty. But each successive SOE was weaker and weaker, and now it amounts to nothing more than an announcement which should really be met not just by indifference, but by jeers.

18 ( +18 / -0 )

The government has given up. No clue, no plan, no idea, nothing except hot air and a meaningless SOE.

A total shambles, beyond disgraceful.

19 ( +22 / -3 )

I simply don't understand the creation of an end date for every SOE as if you can plan a pademic.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

This is a great opportunity for English teachers to explain how to use words sarcastically.

"Students, what does "yeah" mean?"

"It means yes"

"Correct. Now what does yeah, yeah mean?"

4 ( +8 / -4 )

With the pandemic continuing to spread in the country, the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa and three other prefectures which started in July would be prolonged and expanded.

Please provide details on just how they will be "expanded" for us down here?

People arent paying attention now anyway, so what difference will it make? The airport is busy as hell, hotels are booked up, rental cars are flying out of parking lots, and domestic tourists continue to keep coming.

The Gov here is useless, and the people dont listen, so what's going to change?

17 ( +17 / -0 )

All restaurants must close at At 8pm and no serving booze. This will not prevent the virus spread. The covid virus is smarter than that. Get real here.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

Japan’s emergency centers around asking eateries and bars to close at 8 p.m. and to not serve alcohol.

When you put it like this it just sounds ridiculous.

“The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after meeting with other ministers about the move.

Suga the LDP PM as bemused bystander at a 10 car pileup.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Who care about SOE ?! Even restaurant do not care anymore...

16 ( +17 / -1 )

We had 37 new cases in our city yesterday in Chiba - 12 of them under 20 and 9 of them under 10 years old. Scared to think what schools will look like in 2 weeks time.

Is there nothing else the government can think of than more SOE’s that have had no effect at all?

25 ( +27 / -2 )

SOE is totally useless at this point, government should be focusing on vaccines and debunking all the misinformation being spread about them.

17 ( +24 / -7 )

Once the elderly and those with secondary illnesses were vaccinated there should have been much more weight placed upon securing beds and supplies to treat any cases who required attention. Based on the low testing and what the actual numbers of infections must be, the hospitalisation rate is very small. The real problem is they have plenty of beds in private hospitals but aren't allowed to use them!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

call me simplistic, and possibly traitorous, but seems to me that people who fancy a quiet beer, or a glass of wine with their meal, wouldn't be a danger.... while those who want to get smashed will do so anyway. aAaand.... I see plenty of people who are not imbibing alcohol, shouting into their fone, or at the person next to them, often pulling down their mask to facilitate same..... as usual, laws and ordinances adversely affect the reasonable folk, while the others do what they do anyway..... (ー△ー;)

28 ( +30 / -2 )

nice timing for the paralympics people to get in, do their thing, and get out again, while residents..... ummm..... watch the world go by on TV.....

19 ( +20 / -1 )

The government is determined to bring small and medium business to its knees. Slowly, painfully and pointlessly.

27 ( +36 / -9 )

Japan has had more than 15,000 COVID-19 related deaths and worries have been growing about the health care system becoming increasingly stretched thin. Japanese media reports have shown people stuck in ambulances for hours looking for a hospital to accept them.

People die and suffering, now what they government really do in quasi emergency just ask eateries to close before 8 pm?

Japan’s emergency centers around asking eateries and bars to close at 8 p.m. and to not serve alcohol. The measure will also be expanded to apply to several prefectures such as Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka, currently under a less severe cautionary “quasi-emergency.”

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Japan’s emergency centers around asking eateries and bars to close at 8 p.m. and to not serve alcohol.

Are the people in charge such utter alcoholics that they think this is a drastic measure?

18 ( +27 / -9 )

What a great idea because they (SOE) are working out so great.

29 ( +34 / -5 )

Now comes even more state-of-emergency fatigue -- on a wider scale. Yawn.

28 ( +34 / -6 )

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