Japan extends calls to avoid nightclubs, bars to all prefectures

Not legally binding? Good luck.

Even with legally binding orders, the citizens of many countries are openly defying shelter in place and social distancing orders.

If the JP government asked the restaurant and bar landlords to give a few months free rent then i am sure many would decide to close by themsleves. The governement could then offer some discounts on property tax so the landlords are not out of pocket. Singapore is using this model and it seems to be working there but as usual JP government only wants to support the big businesses.

Using the police to urge citizens to go home is not on-it is using intimidatory tactics to control the population.

When thousands of businesses become bankrupt what aid can the owners expect?

Request is still request, not order, even if it is an emergency. Govt just ask people's favor about it.

Rain yen down on businesses, from your local snack to the white collar company in Umeda. If you're not supporting people's livelihoods, you can't much expect them to shut down. The foolish patrons of nighttime establishments seem to be a smokescreen for government incompetence (letting the econ. minister run the show was a real red flag).

The fact that bars and nightclubs are even open at all is ridiculous. There's no social distancing in these establishments.

Request !!!!! Time to change a few laws in Japan.

Notice the cameraman on the left? There are a crap load of other folks on the street and everyone is looking here.

Without faces those two could be teenagers for all we know, and the cops are stopping them for being out too late. Or it could all just be a set up too, for the camera!

Whatever law that is restricting the legal enfocement of the emergency measures should have been discussed and resolved months ago; the world bought abe time, but that window of opportunity was wasted in deference to the Olympics. We are now stuck with this superficial declaration and as we watch the infection numbers increase everyday the populace is wondering why as they ride the trains to work or discuss the economy at the pubs after work.

Request !!!!! Time to change a few laws in Japan.

Such bills don't pass in the Diet.

The people of Japan are having to shoulder the inept policies of this government.

The spread of the virus has been propagated by mass tourism from China.The government coffers have received vast sums of tax money as a result.

When my local has been compensated for closure and/or lost custom, I’ll be staying at home.

It’s that simple.

The spread of the virus has been propagated by mass tourism from China.The government coffers have received vast sums of tax money as a result.

The evidence suggests otherwise. The Chinese stopped coming some time ago, yet the virus started spreading in the last couple of months.

This will probably stay in place until a vaccine is developed and deployed, we’re talking 12 months at least.

Not long ago you were downplaying the virus, but now you say that Japan needs to be shut down for a year. What a change!

People talking about the laws have to be changed or what not, have ZERO idea about how Japan works to even suggest that it is possible to snap your fingers and change it, even "months" ago.

It would literally take YEARS, if ever to get it passed, as the only way to do it would be through a constitutional amendment! Which also means an national referendum. So in effect the people who are calling for laws restricting movement are asking the direct opposite because they are asking for a referendum, which would mean people would have to get out in line and vote!

The government could enact short term laws and regulations, but they would never pass the diet

Abe is showing why life long politicians make very poor crisis mangers. He lacks the moral fiber to take a strong position and has no experience in being solely responsible for anything. Some one with the backbone to shut this virus down was needed. His desire to save the Olympics will cost lives. Pray for Japan.

Just close them all! Get your finger out of your butts and do it! Close all pubs and restaurants and give financial support to the workers who lose their jobs because of it. Japan is a rich country, right?

Japan is a rich country, right?

Abenomics is dead and this crisis is showing how fragile an economy built on service industries and tourism is.

All those service jobs typically have very poor insurance attached to them. Rich country but many working poor individuals. Poor in both senses of the word.

"strongly request"

... Is that a euphemism for physically handle? I hope not, but the coppers had better figure out beforehand what they may and may not do within these parameters.

Abe declared a state of emergency:

It's been a state of emergency since Abe became Prime Minister.

Acting very slow , late and confusing . all we hear and read are just talking , its still not clear if the government will help financially and to whom , how much and most important when !!!!!

restaurants, cafes , and bars owners are suffering and bills still coming to be paid !!!!!

With subsidies, these night entertainment places will close, but yet no subsidies and nothing clear in the government response. The government hope they will close naturally with the lack of customers. At that time, it will not be considered as an administrative or forced closure, therefore business can not ask for subsidies. A win for Kasumigaseki as I am not sure the government really want to support the entertainment scene.

All that crisis around the world, with governments not being able to fully compensate will create a dark side. With more jobless or with financial difficulties, some will look for easy money and parallel markets, illegal activities, or whatever work not declared will be flourishing

It's bizarre to see a Government unable to do much more in a crisis than 'strongly request' something of it's people..

However, given this shortfall in executive power the burden then really falls to the people to assume the responsibility to execute the request in it's intended spirit, namely; to show a sense of social responsibility and personal restraint in order to prevent the spread of the virus. When that means you may prevent the deaths of friends, family, fellow community members or even yourself, it's not actually that hard. But the lack of more 'stick' type measure for the idiots who simply can't be told is a gaping hole in policy.

Without faces those two could be teenagers for all we know, and the cops are stopping them for being out too late. Or it could all just be a set up too, for the camera!

There was a video of this particular incident circulating on Twitter. The cops were walking around with batons drawn telling people that they shouldn’t be out on the streets. The citizens in this photo looked like young (20 something) salarymen. These guys were drunk in the street flashing peace signs when the cameras showed up. The police posturing seemed very aggressive for Japanese police.

According to experts, nightclubs and hostess bars provide an environment ripe for infection as crowds are crammed into an enclosed space in close contact.

"Experts?" Any decent hostess bar gives plenty of room, and a modicum of privacy, but yeah there is some close contact, how else are these host's and hostesses going to make any money?

This hits the spot though;

In times like these, you feel unpatriotic for opening an establishment. Instead of just asking people to refrain from going out voluntarily, I'd prefer that they banned business from operating. But if they start saying that businesses can't operate, then they have to compensate us.

https://japantoday.com/category/quote-of-the-day/in-times-like-these-you-feel-unpatriotic-for-opening-an-establishment.-instead-of-just-asking-people-to-refrain-from-going-out-voluntarily-i%27d-prefer-that-they-banned-business-from-operating.-but-if-they-start-saying-that-businesses-can%27t-operate-then-the#comment-2124598

Looks like a staged photo op to me.

Guess the Old OG's losing their influence. Clubs, Bars, and OTHER Entertainment not considered essential. Welcome to the NEW WORLD ORDER...

The main focal issue of why people are not staying home is easy: rent. The same principle applies to many small business trying to stay afloat as the rent eats up a chunk of their profits as well. These greedy landlords should be the ones to ease up during this crisis and be pressured by the government to have common humanitarian understanding vs greed. Then people are more likely to stay at home. Same applies for the utilities a worry on many peoples minds.

Not to get off point but why do we the public not have access to the nice masks the cops have?

@Ah_so

The evidence suggests otherwise. The Chinese stopped coming some time ago, yet the virus started spreading in the last couple of months.

The evidence that a month ago didn’t exist?

The tests that were so comprehensive that doctors had zero guidance on spread or treatment.

The tests that were not available unless paid for in full, if available at all ‘some time ago’

What is the incubation time of the virus? Days to several weeks!

Do asymptomatic carriers shed the virus? They do!

There were sick Chinese tourists coming here with fevers, taking medication to lower their temperatures.

It was broadcast all over Chinese social media ffs!

The virus was most likely in Japan at the end of 2019 and has been here much longer than you know.

The Olympic blinkers were on and the virus wasn’t even visible as tptb were blinded by dreams of billions of yen...that is the reality.

According to experts, nightclubs and hostess bars provide an environment ripe for infection as crowds are crammed into an enclosed space in close contact.

I am not an expert but know of three environments that fit the above. Trains, buses and taxis.

Well, the experts have chauffeur driven cars and don't ride them so don't know about them.

Agreed Bungle. It's effectively just a smokescreen. A convenient way of not paying out directly and swiftly as many other governments around the world are doing. Around 80% of the stimulus will be spent on supporting big business. They in turn support the LDP.

why are they even open? only grocery store, emergency services, other essential services, and medical facilities should be open. Stay home!

Responding to a new surge in coronavirus cases, South Korean officials said Saturday that electronic wristbands will be strapped on citizens who disobey self-quarantine rules. "After deep consideration, the government has decided to put electronic wristbands on people who violate self-isolation rules, such as going outside without notice and not answering phone calls and citizens who violate the rules may face fines up to $8,100 and up to a year in jail.

Just inputing what our neighbors are going thru for failing to self isolate. IN Japan we have no bite to the requests being given so why so many police presence in the streets? Are we going to be incurred penalties like a beatdown? The good ol days of imperialism are alive and well within the politicos who feel like they are overlords as days past.

It is not thousands of businesses going bust or in serve dire straights. Think tens of thousands or more. My business will probably be finished if we are drip fed into Abe’s dream police state lockdown.

USA has over 16million registered unemployed in a matter of weeks.

This "all we can do is strong request" stuff is utter BS.

If any bar, restaurant, club, cafe, or even school cafeteria had an outbreak of food poisoning, it would be ordered to shut down immediately by the health departments to prevent the spread of a dangerous illness. No "national emergency status" necessary.

There was a video of this particular incident circulating on Twitter. The cops were walking around with batons drawn telling people that they shouldn’t be out on the streets. The citizens in this photo looked like young (20 something) salarymen. These guys were drunk in the street flashing peace signs when the cameras showed up. The police posturing seemed very aggressive for Japanese police.

Good on them. Some of the police are more at risk then those young drunk guys but they are out there helping to save lives.

The photo says it all about Japan police! They targeted these two salary man because they seem non aggressive rather than targeting some drunk and aggressive looking men out there! This is a common sight that I see around Tokyo streets when I’m out whereby innocent looking people are stopped and questioned by police but drunk, loud and aggressive looking men are barely given a second look by them.

@Burning Bush I wanted to laugh at your comment ‘how can you justify..’

but it is too serious. So you believe it is safe on morning commuter trains but too dangerous at evening pubs and clubs. In football terms Japan is scoring an own goal

@kurisupisu.... you forgot to mention the Japanese evacuees who arrived from Wuhan and were sent home using public transportation! A few from the first flight refused testing and went home instead of the quarantine area. Then two of them later tested positive! Also the Japanese national onboard the Diamond princess who were sent home using public transportation without being tested ( 40 of them ) and they later tested positive for it! The virus originated from Wuhan but it’s not only the Chinese that infected Japanese people in Japan. Japanese people also played a fair share in spreading the virus in Japan during the early stages when less than 10 infections were recorded! The US is another issue because they had so much time to prepare for the virus outbreak but the authorities there were the least bit bothered ( some were even saying corona virus is a hoax, The President seemed too relaxed saying it will disappear by April )! They only started acting when it stated to spread at a massive rate! How stupid are the authorities everywhere that they don’t seem to prepare with proper dedication for this and when things are beyond recovery then they start to take action! This virus could have been dealt with more effectively if borders across the globe were closed much earlier and stronger quarantine rules implemented!

Anyone NOT making plans to get out of Tokyo or other major cities should stop blaming the government. Take a look around the world city boy. Buy a tent and supplies if you have to. It’s not too cold these days.

Of course 100% of the population won't capitulate to requests but if they can reach their goal of an 80% reduction in social interaction they will be successful according to top researchers here in Japan and also overseas...

See this article April 11 Nikkei Asian Review (English)

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-aims-to-cut-social-contact-by-80-here-s-why

a snippet from it...

"If we reduce contact between people by 80%, we can reduce the number of additional people infected to one or less," Hiroshi Nishiura, a professor at Hokkaido University, explained in a video posted by the public Twitter account of the health ministry's cluster response team.

So getting that Ro number (transmission rate) to 1.0 is possible. With heavy mask use and less social interaction Japan actually has a much better path than what Italy and the USA had.

There is also a link on that article to a recent British Study that discusses Ro values.

Anecdotally, the Japanese people in my circle are concerned about this and are taking precautions. Let's all hope that percentage of similar minded people is around 80%. Even if bars are open there will be a small percentage of the population who will feel comfortable visiting them. Let's hope it is under 20%.

Request, Strongly Request, What is next?

There was a video of this particular incident circulating on Twitter. The cops were walking around with batons drawn telling people that they shouldn’t be out on the streets. 

Yes, it was a frightening scene to witness in Japan, like something you would expect from a 3rd world dictatorship.

In this case, the "obedient" Japanese have shown far more concern for human rights and freedoms than the supposedly free USA. The acceptance and even desire for authoritarian measures around the world is appalling. I cannot believe what sheep people have become. "But we are scared!" These people have no clue what they should and shouldn't be afraid of. They tremble in fear at a virus that will kill maybe one in 10,000 at best, but show no fear to giving up all their human rights to corrupt politicians and police.

The photo, with armed police, presents, portrays a overreaching authoritarianism.

Only though empathy and understanding the necessity to politely coach Japan's metropolis into reasoning and thus coax/wheedle the behaviors to achieve coronavirus etiquette.

I believe that community volunteers, vetted local people, can aid and make this happen, with a single police officer present. 

Only though understanding crisis management. people strategies can policies of social distancing and ultimately, the need to testing and tracing achieved.

The extreme Lock-Down scenario, is not, and should not be, the be all, and end all strategy.

Simply put. it is down to how one calmly presents an agenda.

didouToday  08:43 am JST

With subsidies, these night entertainment places will close, but yet no subsidies and nothing clear in the government response. The government hope they will close naturally with the lack of customers. At that time, it will not be considered as an administrative or forced closure, therefore business can not ask for subsidies. A win for Kasumigaseki as I am not sure the government really want to support the entertainment scene.

Bingo! The government is telling those entertainment places to fend for themselves. They are being left high and dry.

The government is giving 300,000 yen to people with reduced incomes. I think the workers at these places will be happy to stay at home for that.

@Jim

Many thanks for the additional information.

And completely off topic but with all this free time available, I have taking up growing fruit and vegetables on my balcony.

It is very therapeutic...

If I am not mistaken most of the businesses in the red light districts are run by the Yakuza.

This could explain the reluctance from politicians to fully shut them down. The pressure must be big...

If I am not mistaken most of the businesses in the red light districts are run by the Yakuza.

This could explain the reluctance from politicians to fully shut them down. The pressure must be big...

Not to mention, the blackmail that some yakuza groups must have on politicians. I doubt they will really shutdown in fear of repercussions. The politicians have more to lose.

The central govt wants to close your business because they screwed it up by letting the infected tourists in so therefore the central govt must pay for the damage it is doing to innocent business and citizens.

Or do they expect those innocent business owners to simply crawl under a rock and dissolve ?

Japanese govt needs to get with the program and compensate everyone affected by the choices its dumb blind ignorant and stupid leaders have made much like the other countries around the wold are doing.

@Kurisupisu... it’s a good idea to stay at home and grow fruits and vegetables ( as you are doing ) or simply do other indoor activities rather than going outdoors to crowded places assisting in the spreading of the virus! I’ve been doing my part of staying indoors and sacrificing my night out parties since February! I’ll party out all night long after the virus outbreak is under control thorough some vaccine / cure! A few weeks or even months of sacrificing our social life is not that difficult under these circumstances!

Unreal.

https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo/status/1249127951154712576

Okay so I get it, the economy is the only thing that really matters a long with Japanese support of freedom of rights. Government won't mandate anything as doesn't want to pay any compensation and can't because Japan is such a free country. But my question is what happens if the hospitals start to get overloaded and Tokyo starts to look like New York, what happens then? Do the trains keep running and people keep going to work, izakayas, hairdressers and night life as usual? Gotta keep the economy going and don't meddle with my freedom of rights, sorry about those in the hospital etc.

The other day the chairman of Toyota said if Tokyo becomes like New York the country can never recover but meanwhile the country does almost nothing to stop this happening.

So here is your problem.

everything is bar/nightclub. Like we are immune but only on the train to work and at work itself.

where are all the restrictions and “strong recommendations” to the 30-50% of offices forcing people to come to work as usual? Abe admits it below but only “urges” and sets no time limits such as 8pm.

close the office, then no one is out of the home to stop by the izakaya or bar on the way home.

Seeing that the reduction in commuters to work now is still not enough, Abe urged businesses in the seven prefectures to basically practice working at home.

Guys with wives can back me up. Only way they can escape the house right now to even go to a bar or izakaya is to claim they have to go to work. then stop on way back home.

No one with a wife is working from home then heading out after 6pm to go to bars.

No one with a wife is working from home then heading out after 6pm to go to bars.

Want to bet on that one? I have a wife, I work at home, and if I chose to, I could go out. BUT I choose not to!

Doesnt matter if one is married or not. The people who are out drinking, know about the situation, but do it anyway. It's just more proof that not all Japanese follow the "laws" of good manners and doing what is right.

Personally speaking, if they want to go out, get sick, then fine, just when you tell the doctor you caught it at some pub or something, dont be surprised if they choose not to take care of you any time soon!

The pendulum swings both ways, you dont want to do what's right, then take responsibility if something happens and drive up into the mountains for a couple of weeks and become fertilizer for the trees!

It boils down to this:

The Japanese government and the prefectures have no power to stop people going out or close businesses. ZIP. NADA. They can only repeatedly ask and urge, stage photo's with the police (as shown above), and try and influence the public to do as they ask.

In this scenario, the only option is to take away the reasons that people go out.

Define a strict set of essential services you wish to keep running. Power, Water, Fuel, Supermarket and Combinis, mass transport, and delivery services. Work to reduce mass transit, and maybe limit the numbers of vehicles allowed on each section of the expressways at any time.

For the rest offer 4-6 weeks paid rent relief and an 80% subsidy for salaries for businesses that close down. Make it mandatory that the subsidies are passed onto the employees. Offer a subsidy for each additional full time position they managed to get to work from home.

Those that choose do not close, impose strict restrictions on numbers of people allowed in per m2 of floor space, 2m queuing distances, empty seats between restaurant/bar diners etc.

It cam be done, they just needs to be creative about it. Unfortunately the only 'creative' thing that most Diet members are known for are accounting practices.

Some boneheads still don't get it! STAY HOME!

The politicians keep repeating this magic mantra 'work at home' without even thinking what it really entails. Mechanics, manufacturers, lab techs, engineers, bakers, healthcare workers, suppliers all have to be on-site or in a factory or manufacturing facility; and have to be able to travel to their place of work. It's only some white collar computer based jobs that can be done home, and even then, security issues such as not being allowed a VPN, preventing full access to the company network hinder your ability to work effectively.

JapanMalluToday  10:07 am JST

Request, Strongly Request, What is next?

Yeah, really. Maybe "extremely strongly pretty please with sugar on top request"

Izakaya across from my apartment closed last night at 2:30 a.m. I know because the drunks, and the place was quite full by the looks of the number who came out, were so loud they woke us up.

Sorry, but until they put an order in place saying the places must close by law, and the government won't provide assistance if they merely close through "suggestion", I don't expect them to close, nor do I think people will stop going. I mean, they still have to go risk their lives on the packed morning trains to work, right?

As for the police in the photo, I hope some of the people had the nerve to say, "Or what?" There's no law forcing them to go home, same as there is no law forcing them not to go to work, which I'm assuming they are coming from. Why don't police line the same intersections in the morning before these people get on the trains and say, "Please go home to avoid the spread of infection?" Because the morons in government think that the virus should cooperate when it comes to work and somehow it will only spread through entertainment and social events.

The acceptance and even desire for authoritarian measures around the world is appalling. I cannot believe what sheep people have become. "But we are scared!" These people have no clue what they should and shouldn't be afraid of. They tremble in fear at a virus that will kill maybe one in 10,000 at best, but show no fear to giving up all their human rights to corrupt politicians and police.

Well said!

And I'm surprised that your comment wasn't censored by the admins here as it is not inline with current acceptable social viewpoints and hashtags at the moment...

The politicians keep repeating this magic mantra 'work at home' without even thinking what it really entails.

Yup. For many employees and small biz owners, this will mean unemployment with nothing to fall back in with savings. This will be on a scale unprecedented in history.

Pray tell how that is a better outcome than this virus that is (to quote a medical professional) two to four times more deadly than influenza.

Tried to say:

For many employees and small biz owners, this will mean unemployment with nothing to fall back on BUT savings.

Sadly the only thing that gonna make people nervous and scared of going out is rows and rows of dead bodies in a coffin just like what is happening in Italy and New York.

Here's the way it is: the virus doesn't care if it's these drunk guys gathering at a pub, or the same drunk guys (before drinking, or hungover the next day) going to work on a packed train. You want them to stay home, they should stay home regardless of whether it's going out to have fun or going out to make money for Panasonic. The government does not want to pay out to small businesses by forcing them to close, so it only suggests it, or else pulls the old Japanese 'starve (punish) them until they quit of their own volition' routine. Meanwhile, the major corporations, which will receive nearly all of the bailout money with no strings attached at all, expect you to show up after risking your life on the train, and work in a potentially cramped space with others, and they will STILL get the bailout money.

This nation is going to see the middle class disappear completely over this virus and the government's handling of it. That may seem appetizing to the big corporations, but when a huge number of people go broke, homelessness increases, and so does violence and crime, and not to mention spending goes WAY down in a country that depends on it... well... this is a slow suicide, plain and simple.

Sadly the only thing that gonna make people nervous and scared of going out is rows and rows of dead bodies in a coffin just like what is happening in Italy and New York.

Save the melodrama. 99% of those deaths were those of elderly people, or sick people. It's hardly fair to solely blame COVID-19 for that as a strong wind would also have knocked them over. Not worth bankrupting the world over.

Pachinko Parlors seem to be on their own planet and the punters that frequent them, dont seem to be hearing too much about that side of the story from the powers that be??

Noisy Bosozuku motorbike gang tore up Mt Ikoma area around East Osaka as usual late Friday and Saturday night. I think there's about 20-30 of them. They usually ride up to the top have a break before coming back down.

Guys with wives can back me up. Only way they can escape the house right now to even go to a bar or izakaya is to claim they have to go to work. then stop on way back home.

I agree if your wife is Japanese and hasn’t lived abroad.

Request, Strongly Request, What is next?

...

Yeah, really. Maybe "extremely strongly pretty please with sugar on top request"

just like Mr. Wolf ... ... that might work... or not ...

Save the melodrama. 99% of those deaths were those of elderly people, or sick people. It's hardly fair to solely blame COVID-19 for that as a strong wind would also have knocked them over. Not worth bankrupting the world over.

Oh, well, that is different. If its only old or sick people then yeah its totally OK to let them die.

So sorry Covid-19 for being so upset at you because you will kill my mom and dad if they get you, I forgot that they are old and have conditions which make them vulnerable and therefore totally deserve to die. Very unfair of me to have blamed you for that.

The police certainly don't understand the meaning of " social distancing " ie 6 feet or 2 meters apart.

The Police seem to have nice valved respirator masks, certainly not the child size rags that two Mask Abe promised the public.

Wondere where they got them from? intercepted a chinese shipment in Kabuki-Cho?

This will probably stay in place until a vaccine is developed and deployed, we’re talking 12 months at least.

How can you justify being in a nightclub when the virus is still out there.

Why so many downvotes? This is true.

Rents and debts must be suspended for every country. There's no better way out of this.

is not legally binding.

The police seem to be stepping over their bounds and intimidating people with in a half meter face to face?

Save the melodrama. 99% of those deaths were those of elderly people, or sick people. It's hardly fair to solely blame COVID-19 for that as a strong wind would also have knocked them over.

The article below suggests that's not the case. Twice the number of expected deaths during March - 9,780 deaths, about 5,000 more than would normally be expected.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/10/upshot/coronavirus-deaths-new-york-city.html

Sorry if my comment wasn't clear. The numbers refer to New York City.

"Strongly request"

Its getting serious folks... at this rate they will be typing a letter and faxing to everyone... it's a slippery slope.

AgentX and commanteer

The coronavirus is not just a simple flu. It's killing a lot of people in their 40s and 60s. And even people in their 30s and under. 

 Don't minimize the damage from that virus.

Fine them like in Korea and the US ¥50,000 and second time ¥100,000 that’ll send a message real quick, but at this rate the way infected cases will rise and spread (and death will surely follow) I’m pretty sure that’ll get the people’s attention.

dbsaiya

Whatever law that is restricting the legal enfocement of the emergency measures should have been discussed and resolved months ago;

In 2016 they came very close to reaching an agreement to include a state of emergency amendment in the constitution. That if approved at that time, it would have minimized the effects of this pandemic right now. But Yukio Edano's Minshutō prevented the approval as usual. His NO to everything also has its consequences.

That's why the opposition doesn't have strong arguments to criticize Abe and the LDP. Because they are also direct accomplices in this situation. For refusing to pass laws that would have minimized the consequences of this virus. A few years ago.

longtimenoseeToday 04:30 pm JST

Rents and debts must be suspended for every country. There's no better way out of this.

I hate to break it to you, but not every landlord is this rich corporation with fat cash reserves. Some (especially those two-storey longhouse lookalikes) literally live on the rent from the tenants.

And as for bass4funk, order with penalty is exactly what many Japanese want to avoid. Few in Japan really want to set a precedent on this issue.

And as for bass4funk, order with penalty is exactly what many Japanese want to avoid. Few in Japan really want to set a precedent on this issue

South Korea is doing that and they’re seeing a slow down in infections, so what’s the difference if they can take charge and show the world how to battle this devastating disease? What’s Japan’s excuse?

This Government is a joke. What is the overwhelming resistance to order a shutdown rather than asking, requesting, strongly requesting? Japanese are supposed to be the people who always follow the rules, so issue the damn order already and be done with it.

bass4funkToday 09:11 pm JST

South Korea is doing that and they’re seeing a slow down in infections, so what’s the difference if they can take charge and show the world how to battle this devastating disease? What’s Japan’s excuse?

For one thing, I assume you are an American or at least an European. Make excuses but given how the scoreboard looks like right now I don't think you are in a strong position to take a critical attitude.

And neither would the South Koreans, since along with the Chinese they had been whining over the slightest move by Japan towards becoming a normal country and promoting worldviews that would take it away from there for decades. Estoppel, I say.

On the merits of the case, precedents may cost Japan far more down the line than some lives lost at this present junction. Human rights MEANS sometimes not taking the most efficient, cheapest path towards plugging problems. Interestingly, the West seems to have forgotten that.

For one thing, I assume you are an American or at least an European. Make excuses but given how the scoreboard looks like right now I don't think you are in a strong position to take a critical attitude.

Hit a nerve?

And neither would the South Koreans, since along with the Chinese they had been whining over the slightest move by Japan towards becoming a normal country and promoting worldviews that would take it away from there for decades. Estoppel, I say.

On the merits of the case, precedents may cost Japan far more down the line than some lives lost at this present junction. Human rights MEANS sometimes not taking the most efficient, cheapest path towards plugging problems. Interestingly, the West seems to have forgotten that

Ok, ok, so anyhoo, what’s Japan going to do now that’s it’s all coming back to hit them in the face? How will Japan keep up with South Korea since they’re doing everything right and Japan continues to screw up, how will Japan handle this soon to be out of control situation?

South Korea is doing that and they’re seeing a slow down in infections, so what’s the difference if they can take charge and show the world how to battle this devastating disease? What’s Japan’s excuse?

SK, HK, Taiwan

What do they have in common?

smaller population size, more goverment control, small land mass, controllable borders, optimized infratructure for the population.

I hate to break it to you, but not every landlord is this rich corporation with fat cash reserves. Some (especially those two-storey longhouse lookalikes) literally live on the rent from the tenants.

If both rent and debts are suspended, then the landlords wouldn’t be paying on mortgages they may have on the property. Also, not all tenants are rich corporations and they don’t have income now due to the crisis.

And as for bass4funk, order with penalty is exactly what many Japanese want to avoid. Few in Japan really want to set a precedent on this issue.

I think you’re taking too rosy of a view about what most Japanese want. It seems to me that most Japanese are oblivious to constitutional law here and simply do what their leaders tell them. You, on the other hand, are clearly a lawyer or have studied law - it’s painfully obvious from your posts on JT.

smaller population size, more goverment control, small land mass, controllable borders, optimized infratructure for the population.

Japan is a small island with a lot of government control, albeit in strange areas, and has optimized infrastructure. The population density isn’t too far off that of HK. I fail to see your point.

smaller population size, more goverment control, small land mass, controllable borders, optimized infratructure for the population

What? Japan is roughly 1/3 the population of the US crammed on an island smaller than the state of California. "Smaller population size" compared to what??? And how is not being able to stop people from going out and drinking and carousing during a PANDEMIC that has already killed millions globally "more government control". This government has NO CONTROL. Its a free for all.

How about telling people to stop the nomikais??? I guess that would never happen. As long as izakayas are open, Japanese people will go have nomikais, and it is extremely difficult to refuse an invitation to nomikai due to peer pressure. Even if 1 person raises it, especially if he is senior, everyone else will be forced to say yes even if they are concerned about coronavirus.

Japan will allow governors of all 47 prefectures to "strongly request" that their residents refrain from visiting nightclubs, hostess bars and busy downtown spots 

Is it just me or shouldn't the government just "strongly request" everybody not to go out ANYWHERE during this difficult time? I'm sure nightclubs and hostess bars are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these cluster zones. Why pinpoint certain areas/industries when pretty much you can pick up this terrible virus whenever you're out and about?

If you don't want people to go to them, close them. How difficult is it to use your brain? If you leave them open all you are really saying is it's not necessary to close them.

Surely Japan has enough Cosplay Storm Trooper suits to equip the local Tokyo Police force with. That would at least transfix the Nation and perhaps get more attention - baring from those who wanted Selfies.... with the Storm Troopers!

Better late THAN never...

Here's an easier tactic. Because if they make everyone stay home, it will affect many others financially. Let people go out when they want, where they want. But if anyone doesn't have a mask on, its a 60,000 yen fine if you are out in the public where there are more than 2 people around you. Make it so that people get rewarded for reporting it and the person getting a fine. If someone makes a false claim, the fine is doubled with 12 months in jail.

Perhaps now we can finally have an end to this giant fallacy which is Japanese people care more about the group than the individual, that they are such supernatural law abiding citizens, etc.