Gov't considers wider state of emergency as more prefectures seek inclusion

It should be nation wide, the virus doesn't know borders, and the only way to contain it is to stop all travel. People are fleeing the emergency areas so that they can spend their time in other prefectures where it won't be as strict. Great, the only problem is that the outer prefectures are mostly rural and have a higher percentage of the elderly and don't have the medical facilities to cope if there's and outbreak. It's asinine that we're even discussing adding more areas to the state of emergency at this time. Abe should make it nationwide now, be done with it and get on with the containment.

Gov't considers wider state of emergency as more prefectures seek inclusion

Gov't enforces all prefectures under a state of emergency .

fixed

There are no legal penalties for flouting the call, and business activities cannot be banned.

Ridiculous.

But governors can expropriate private land and buildings for use in the virus fight, requisition medical supplies and food from companies that refuse to sell them, and punish those that hoard or do not comply. They can also force firms to help transport emergency goods.

The government is going to need these powers since it cannot stop people from going out or mandate businesses shuttering and Japanese people don’t seem to understand that they aren’t appreciated so susceptible to contracting the virus.

The government cannot legally take stricter measures. than those already approved in the current state of emergency law. The constitution prevents it.

Some examples:

Article 11. The people shall not be prevented from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights. These fundamental human rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as eternal and inviolate rights.

Article 27. All people shall have the right and the obligation to work.

Standards for wages, hours, rest and other working conditions shall be fixed by law.

Children shall not be exploited.

Article 31. No person shall be deprived of life or liberty, nor shall any other criminal penalty be imposed, except according to procedure established by law.

There is no "State of Emergency" in any of the 103 articles of the constitution. Nor is there any legal basis for blockades as in other countries.

Yea, you do that. Keep considering things. It's not like the state of emergency is actually addressing anything anyway.

'...be done with it and get on with the containment.'

I think containment was never the plan. I think the idea is to expose everyone, the Government is taking the risk that they can do so relatively incrementally.