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Abe looks to extend state of emergency through May 31

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So Japan is open or closed, are public spaces going to be open or not, do we stay home or can we go out, can we move about or do we stay home, talk about confused signals , is this govt awake or asleep.............

20 ( +29 / -9 )

About time!!

-14 ( +14 / -28 )

Good news. Hopefully not too many people have gotten very ill

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

Good news.

-7 ( +12 / -19 )

Is there a flattening of the curve? I don't see it. And he's going to announce this before he even sees what the results will be after golden week? I think Nishimura should go and talk to the Hokkaido governor and find out what happens when you jump the gun.

6 ( +17 / -11 )

Let’s see the details tomorrow. Good news, need to check exactly what public facilities l will be reopened such as sports centres.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Yasutoshi Nishimura said at a press conference that the government will permit those facilities to restart if sufficient measures to prevent the spread of the virus are put in place.

Sufficient measures are put in place so it should be OK.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

@dbisya

what happens when you jump the gun???

let’s see:

1) people go back to work

2) people can live without the fear of not being be able to pay rent

3) people can provide for families

4) people can be cautious; stay inside if they choose to; wash hands and practice social distancing as much as possible

continuing emergency:

1) people still not “obeying” emergency

2) people still getting infected( which funny how media doesn’t tell you how many people have gotten this or recovered from it)

3) people living in fear of how they can pay rent? Eat? Provide?

the world is NEVER going to be safe... it seems like you want a guarantee of life (read John 3:16 if you want that)

-21 ( +12 / -33 )

The government will release a set of guidelines on how to resume social activities on Monday, when it will formally decide to extend the state of emergency, likely by around a month.

So they plan to extend the state of emergency, but allow social activities and reopen public facilities at the same time? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the state of emergency?

17 ( +19 / -2 )

I was talking to a lady on the cash register yesterday in my local supermarket, she was telling me about her son who lives in Dubai, She said there idea of lockdown is that NO one goes out at all if your caught on the street you will be fined ( probably very heavy) as for food, the police will come and pick you up in a van, take you to the supermarket for shopping, and they follow you around the market, as soon as your done they take you back to your flat, house and that's where you stay. some people will say that this is very harsh and it not needed, but it shows you what you can do if you are determined, and this lockdown might go onto Christmas for them, I am not saying what Japan has done is correct or not, it just goes to show and high light the difference.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

Good ! The lockdown here doesn't work anyway , what is the point ...

-12 ( +6 / -18 )

Too early! Just look at what's happening in the US. That shows what happens when you fail.

1 ( +16 / -15 )

Positive news. There are very low levels of infection in Japan and they are falling.

-5 ( +15 / -20 )

This is a recipe for disasters.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Digital signs on the expressway in Kanagawa today said, 'Don't drive outside of Kanagawa prefecture!'

Local police were questioning people at parking lots getting out of cars with non-Kanto licence plates.

Guess someone just got the memo on lock-downs?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

John

You missed one rather important thing if we jump the gun:

people will die.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

I think that open spaces outside without big gatherings are basically safe. Covid 19 cannot fly long in the air.

Other than government's directives or "just asking" from above, let's be smart, think hard and logically, and act accordingly. Principles: keep spaces by about 2m/6ft, wash hands when back home, be aware of contacts (with people or objects). Likewise you better know who/what "category" you are; people over 65-70 or pre-conditionally ill have tendency to worsen when infected (doesn't mean no zero safe, though).

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Japan will allow the reopening of parks, museums, libraries and some other public facilities, even in areas with a relatively high number of coronavirus infections, a senior government official said Sunday.

I've been craving for using public libraries to return books I rent, and also to borrow books I reserved online.

The government will release a set of guidelines on how to resume social activities on Monday, when it will formally decide to extend the state of emergency, likely by around a month.

It's necessary to resume social activities to some extent on the highest alert.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

"Ok, let us introduce a state of emergency to counter a world-wide pandemic and growing numbers of domestic infections, but let's base our policy on the silly hope that all residents play along nicely and while we are at it, we should also reopen public facilities despite number of infections not notably decreasing. Take that virus."

Seriously, this policy is a mess.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Sooooo are infection rates under control?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

By the time this government decides if and when they will help citizens in Japan, we’ll have starved to death...

0 ( +5 / -5 )

If and that’s a big IF, the government has worked out carefully that the overall best balanced solution is to be more optimistic by reopening then the people who are in dire need for reopening, i.e. facing eviction, homelessness or financial disaster can take the risk to go back to work. The less needy and more pessimistic will without thinking, stay at home and social distance anyway, and more likely have less short-term financial issues. Finally, this should work as infections are recoverable and are no where near 100% certain death. The main issue is not overwhelming the hospitals that are overwhelmed but will within weeks have capacity.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

dbsaiyaToday  04:32 pm JST

I think Nishimura should go and talk to the Hokkaido governor and find out what happens when you jump the gun.

Hokkaido went into a lockdown (we'll call it that ok?) on Feb 29th ahead of anywhere in Japan, and had it under control. Until people from other parts of Japan started coming to Hokkaido creating a Second Wave.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This is utterly ridiculous. It is a complete joke. As a foreigner living here, I am witness to the number of bars, restaurants and cafes which continue to remain open despite the emergency declaration on 8th April.

Japan is the only country which I know to seem incapable of making its citizens stay home. I read that this was because of their constitution (and possibly is a clause inserted by the Americans after the Second World War). I’m an avid supporter of democracy. There are times when civil liberties need to be suspended. Other countries have found a way of doing this. I don’t believe the constant narrative that Japan is incapable of doing so. The government was originally concerned about saving the Olympics and now is focused on the ailing economy which is on the brink of a recession. This was exacerbated by the tax hike. Understandably, economic woes are a concern. The government should offer economic aid to small - medium sized enterprises and economic relief to poorer individuals. Some sources suggest that in Japan, suicide is more dangerous than Covid 19.

The Japanese government is calling an emergency and at the same time sending mixed messages to the people. It’s no wonder that I see so many old people out and about in the cafes around my town. They haven’t really understood the severity of this situation. By the way, I’m still leaving my home because my company refuses to close.

Japan seems adamant to be part of the Covid 19 denial club. Sweden is part of that club too but at least Sweden are following a consistent policy of herd immunity and no lockdown.

This emergency is a complete sham and the government are deliberately not testing enough people. Europe will take months before everything is opened. At the rate Japan are going, they will be lucky if the emergency ends in 2021.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

One word...... Typical!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

weld the doors to manshions shut, Wuhan style ;)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

They should completely end the state of emergency. The numbers are very low, and with the warming temperatures they will stay down.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

One question: What has changed in Japan since the emergency was initially announced? Why is it okay to open up some places NOW but it was not NOT okay to keep them open the past month? I am assuming there is a logical explanation, so can someone please spell it out so that we all understand? Thank you.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Open Close...we can't decide, but you can work it out without any support from us. Right?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

User 1991, please Japan is not under a lock down, a state of emergency was declared with measures to reduce human contact by at least 80% to flatten the curve but not necessarily lock everything down, that’s why why those who can work from home are being asked to do so, those who can’t must still go to work but if possible cut their working days where the government will in effect provide subsidies to companies whose employees take some holidays during the state of emergency period,

it’s not a lockdown in Japan

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ani go to Shibuya at night, between 6pm and 12 pm and you will notice what has changed

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I always check the world pandemic graphic screen in Youtube live and Japan is 35th the infected cases and deaths numbers. Japan still has problem to confirm the figures according to the govt. aims but Japan is much better to compare to lockdown policy stated in most of the other countries. I think the govt. state of emergency might be extended to decrease infected people and at the same time prepare sufficient measures, release a set of guidelines, the subsidy program to be well introduced to us, as it is written in this column. From social behavior Japanese people are much disciplined to follow govt. instructions, the only hope is to Japan overcome as soon as possible, as much as it started very late, most countries started pandemic warning a month earlier.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Why do so many people and news reports refer to Shibuya (or Shinjuku, Roppongi, Asakusa, etc.) as an apparent proof for the effeciency of state of emergency? The only reasons for visiting Shibuya (except work) are shopping and clubbing. Since all stores, bars and clubs are closed, there is no reason to go there anymore, obviously.

On the other hand, check out your local area. Where I live, the many small izakaya can't complain about lack of customers, the cheap kyabakura and girls bars are operating as usual and the parks are full with both younger and older people drinking.

Yes, the majority of Japanese stays at home, but certainly not a few of them simply don't care about the consequences of their actions. As a result, number of infections are still high.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

"Is there a flattening of the curve"

Who cares about flattening of the curve?

You should be more concerned about flattening some grass after all this time "imprisoned".

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Open up everything rather than having half measures! The virus will spread until you have a proper lockdown! No use having a state of emergency like the one Japan is currently having! So open up everything and send people back to work. Oh, yes and continue not to test people for the virus to keep the official count to a minimum! Let average people suffer as the politicians and the extremely rich people live in safety. Pathetic strategy Japan and worst than underdeveloped and third world countries!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

User1991May 3  08:29 pm JST

This is utterly ridiculous. It is a complete joke. As a foreigner living here, I am witness to the number of bars, restaurants and cafes which continue to remain open despite the emergency declaration on 8th April.

User1991, the places you list provide tax revenue whereas places like parks, people jogging and picnicking along rivers and small parks don't create tax revenue. They actually use it as our taxes are used to maintain them.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

500 dead is almost about the same as last years deaths from heat attack. But no state of emergency then and Abe’s constant push to hold Olympics at the peak of people dieing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Typical cowardly Abe and politicians in general leaking information in order to remove the shock of the news on people.

This so called state of emergency was grossly ineffective as it didn’t have any real power and people still went out and congregated. Social distancing has to be all or nothing. Reducing interaction simply slows things down, not eliminating the virus. All they are doing is stalling in order for a vaccine to be developed rather than cutting this out.

In other words, It has been a waste if time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In light of the LDP's half-baked "no test - no find" policy, the ostrich should be designated as the national bird of Japan. I shudder to think what will be revealed when it pulls its head out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Social distancing has to be all or nothing. Reducing interaction simply slows things down, not eliminating the virus. All they are doing is stalling in order for a vaccine to be developed rather than cutting this out.

The goal should not be to eliminate the virus, that cannot be done. All they should do is slow things down a bit to prevent the hospitals from being overwhelmed.

Open everything up and just have people minimize unnecessary contacts. Extreme social distancing until everyone gets vaccinated in not reasonable.

There isn't a politician alive that knows how to protect my health and well being better than me.

The economic consequences of this lockdown experiment are going to be far graver than anything the virus is capable of doing.

Very well put!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The lack of money in the country is starting to be felt now. Invoices are not being paid, are being paid late or being paid in installments; leading to cash flow problems for part-timers, freelancers, independent contractors and small businesses. Over the next month or two, the medium-sized business with better reserves will start to feel the pinch. J-Gov, the politicians, bureaucrats and local governments had better work quickly on deliverying support measures.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

These are very confusing policies! Japan seems like it is ran by a nation of children and cowards.

I am lucky enough to be working from home until the end of July.

People working at midsize to small companies with no savings, and the companies with no reserves will be hurting by the Fall!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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