Tougher anti-COVID-19 measures begin in 6 prefectures

Happy days are here again!

Department stores and other major commercial facilities are also being told to temporarily shut or close early

Shutting early is as stupid as shortening trains and cutting back on trains running. Just makes things more crowded. But you can't become even more stupid then one is.

Shameful bureaucrats. Dummies.

@newgirl: We are not allowed to be happy. One must get with the propaganda parade in tune to the march.

Just call them the "tatemai" SoE - it's basically just for show. None of these measures have been effective as we're seeing a gradual increase in numbers from when the pandemic started.

They will take ‘targeted steps’ now. And probably a full lockdown from Sept ?

Where does Japan rank in terms of the coronavirus success that they seem to be so proud of?

What we all need to understand is that our sacrifices are necessary for the games. If we all behave and do as we're told, we'll not only get to host a huge cash grab for our finest corporations, but our glorious leaders will get away with the terrible vaccine rollout and stay in power. Win win!

... “tougher measures...”? nah... nobody,s impressed...

these people don’t know the meaning of the word tough...

...

...

business as usual...

Oh look, more of the same old crap? It didn't work before or the first 7 times. But since nothing will change at all, I'm sure it'll work this time!!!

Just get the vax rolling fools...................

Zzzzz

Same old

Those measures are never "tougher" with comparing other countries.

Government of Japan are distracted by economy or Olympics since last year, still disrespect response to Covid-19 despite epidemic of more dangerous variant.

Have to forbid drinking alcohol and singing at public venues in Japan because most Japanese cannot laugh or sing without YELLING. ( O

But Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has denied the need to declare a nationwide state of emergency, as the National Governors' Association has suggested, saying the government will take targeted steps in specific areas.

Suga was like, "No, you can't tell me what to do. I am the PM. I should only tell you what I must do or do nothing. Zero action, that's my sweet spot."

Actually less trains and of course sharply dropping opening hours for all stores would do the trick.

Its almost surrealistic seeing how so many countries have already a sizable portion of their population immunized and are beginning to open up going back to a much more normal life while Japan keeps acting as if this was still 2020.

Who give a flying bleep anymore. Let them have a ball at this and get the darn olympic thing over and done..... and good riddance to the olympics. The worse Olympics i be to be recorded in history.

These dino gg’s are as much use as a chocolate tea pot!

I don't know why the negative comments. Everybody knows the Covid virus is only active at night and is triggered by karaoke. That's why the bars have to shut early.

Japan’s constant half-measures are paying off.

By paying off, are you referring to those brown envelopes under tables some ten years back, that landed us in this pickle we are in today?

Set the rules needed but then please enforce them. Nightly here in Osaka several clubs (the music and dance variety) are open because there is no real penalty if they do so. This causes some clubs to close, and pushes people to pile into the few that stay open.

This constant back and forth of toying with people's emotions and hurting businesses has gone on for far too long.

Let the people be free and conduct business as they see fit. The world cannot stay locked down forever, enough damage has been done.

Can we still buy Olympic tickets for the events?

Too tough !

Tougher? ie shops to close one hour earlier?

Vote them out!

What's the big deal? Just close the bars and restaurants earlier. That should take of the problem. It's worked sooooo well in the past.

In areas placed under the state of emergency, restaurants are being told to close by 8 p.m.

Are government officials assuming COVID-19 only comes out at night?

Nothing has been tough in terms of the Japan lock down or the State Of Emergency. Nothing so far.

tougher measures here means the government will recommend more strongly

If you care that much, feel free to move to whichever failed state still 'believes the science' that has been proven wrong over and over again. The rest of the world can appraise the data sensibly.

@ wobot

What does the above paragraph mean.

Oldman:

Let the people be free and conduct business as they see fit.

Yeah right, because that policy worked so brilliantly in the US, Brazil, UK...

Sounds like you are simply parroting Trump and Bolsanaro.

BurakuminDesToday 11:35 pm JST

Oldman:

Let the people be free and conduct business as they see fit.

Yeah right, because that policy worked so brilliantly in the US, Brazil, UK...

Sounds like you are simply parroting Trump and Bolsanaro.

And the US is at a nearly 40% vaccination rate, continuing to trend down in cases and deaths while Japan has their head buried in bureaucracy. And it was the Trump administration that got the vaccines going without the red tape. Japan continues to have artificial road blocks to getting the vaccine out to the public (no syringes, not enough doses, not approved in Japan yet, etc...). It's almost like a tragic comedy show.

Total shut down immediately. Please be serious and responsible.

TARA TAN KITAOKAToday 12:22 am JST

Total shut down immediately. Please be serious, responsible, and eat lots of doughnuts.

You sound very sensible. Shut down the trains and hospitals as well?

You sound very sensible. Shut down the trains and hospitals as well?

• shut down non essential businesses (with financial support plans from the government)

• shut down schools (with remote learning materials/devices provided to students free of charge)

• shut down office jobs by forcing company owners to make their employees work remotely to reduce work and train exposure; also result in less crowded trains

• shut down dining in restaurants, BUT increase food delivery services so they can still make food and money; takeout is ok too

• keep the trains open, but try to run a few more (if feasible) to reduce the crowds

• keep hospitals open, but dear God send them nurses, retired nurses and doctors (with full wage payment), financial aid, ICU equipment and VACCINES with the authority to give them out to whomever whenever

The cases in Japan are still just a tiny fraction of the cases that the US has had. 10% of the US population has tested positive for COVID and only .5% of Japan population has tested positive.

Tougher measures? What, they're gong to ban the serving of oolonghai??

AGAIN: Too Little, Far Too Late!

Suga needs to grow a pair... People are depending on him to keep them alive... Cancel the Olympics... To hell with what the IOC want it's what the people of Japan want.... Blood on your hands....

State of emergency:

> In areas placed under the state of emergency, restaurants are being told to close by 8 p.m. and refrain from serving alcohol or offering karaoke services.

Department stores and other major commercial facilities are also being told to temporarily shut or close early, and attendance at concerts and sports events has been capped at 5,000 or 50 percent of venue capacity."

Does the Japanese government not realize how ridiculous this sounds to the rest of the World?

How about a proper lockdown. Or would that only be under a 'super state of emergency'. And what on earth is a 'quasi state of emergency'.

The craziness continues. And then there is the Olympics......