[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surge in Tokyo, metropolitan local governments in Japan's capital region have consecutively requested residents to refrain from traveling and going out.
According to Kyodo News, Yuji Kuroiwa, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, held a press conference on the 26th, urging, "To prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections, please refrain from non-essential and non-urgent outings this weekend." Governor Kuroiwa stated, "Although infections are being suppressed within the prefecture, we cannot deny the possibility of an overshoot (explosive increase in infections) occurring one day," and appealed, "Please refrain from traveling as much as possible, such as by working from home."
The day before, Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Metropolis, held an emergency press conference urging telecommuting and refraining from going out, and Kanagawa Prefecture, a metropolitan local government adjacent to the south of Tokyo, also requested residents to take similar measures.
In addition to Kanagawa Prefecture, most metropolitan local governments in the capital region plan to urge residents to refrain from traveling and going out. Governors of Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and Yamanashi Prefecture are scheduled to hold an online video conference, during which Governor Koike plans to ask other prefectural governors to urge residents to avoid traveling to and from Tokyo as much as possible.
Tomikazu Fukuda, Governor of Tochigi Prefecture, said at a press conference held that day, "It is strange for Tochigi residents to go to Tokyo while Tokyo residents are staying at home," urging people to refrain from visiting Tokyo. Yamanashi Prefecture also plans to issue a similar message.
These measures by local governments are interpreted as a preliminary step to a possible state of emergency declaration and various restriction measures that the Japanese government may soon issue. Under the Special Measures Act on Countermeasures against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases, the Japanese government has established a government task force by cabinet decision.
The establishment of the task force is a prerequisite for declaring a state of emergency that can restrict individual rights to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. Currently, local governments are asking residents to voluntarily restrain themselves, but if the spread of infection worsens, the Japanese government is expected to implement stronger measures.
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