Tokyo COVID-19 Daily New Cases Back to 400s

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike is holding up a sign that reads "Short-term Intensive Infection Control" at a press conference held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building after the COVID-19 task force meeting on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, Japan, has once again exceeded 400.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on the 25th that 401 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Tokyo to 38,598.

The daily new cases in Tokyo had been gradually decreasing after reaching a peak of 539 on the 21st, with 391 on the 22nd, 314 on the 23rd, and 186 the day before, but surged again in just one day. The 23rd was a public holiday for 'Labor Thanksgiving Day,' resulting in a three-day holiday from the 21st to the 23rd, during which the number of tests decreased, causing the daily new cases to drop, but after the holiday ended, the numbers started to rise again.

To curb the spread of COVID-19, Tokyo has requested restaurants and other establishments serving alcohol to shorten their business hours to 10 p.m. Governor Yuriko Koike announced this policy during a press conference held after the COVID-19 task force meeting, stating, "A very serious infection situation continues in the metropolitan area," and emphasized the request to shorten business hours for these establishments.

The request period for shortened business hours will be from the 28th of this month to the 17th of next month, lasting 20 days. Businesses that fully comply with the request will receive a uniform cooperation payment of 400,000 yen (approximately 4.24 million won).

Governor Koike appealed to residents to refrain from unnecessary outings as much as possible and to thoroughly implement infection prevention measures when going out. She also requested companies in the metropolitan area to promote and establish telework, such as working from home.