[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Despite the spread of COVID-19, the Japanese government, which insisted on holding the Olympics, has ultimately decided to expand the state of emergency. This decision was made as the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Japan exceeded 10,000 for the first time, showing signs of a serious spread.
On the 30th, the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed across Japan was counted at 10,699 as of 6:30 PM the previous day. This marks the first time Japan's daily COVID-19 cases have surpassed 10,000. This is an increase of 1,123 cases compared to the previous day's 9,576. In Tokyo, where the Olympics are being held, 3,865 cases were reported. This is the highest daily number of cases in Tokyo since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
There have also been numerous confirmed cases among Olympic athletes and related personnel. The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee announced the previous day that 24 more Olympic-related individuals tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the cumulative total to 193 confirmed cases.
Accordingly, the Japanese government plans to declare a state of emergency for three prefectures in the metropolitan area adjacent to Tokyo?Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa?as well as Osaka Prefecture. This measure aims to prevent the nationwide spread of infections centered around the metropolitan area by expanding the target regions. The application period is from August 2 to August 31, and the COVID-19 task force will make a formal decision on the day, followed by a press conference by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. For Tokyo and Okinawa, where a state of emergency is already in place, the original expiration date of August 22 will be extended to August 31.
The previous day, nine local medical organizations, including the Japan Medical Association, issued an urgent statement requesting the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency, citing disruptions in the medical care system due to the resurgence of COVID-19.
Ultimately, with the declaration of a state of emergency during the Olympic period due to the spread of COVID-19, criticism of Prime Minister Suga, who insisted on holding the Olympics, is expected to intensify.
The Mainichi Shimbun criticized Prime Minister Suga’s complacent attitude in an editorial titled “The Fifth Wave Amid the Olympics, the Prime Minister’s Optimism is Precarious.” The Mainichi stated, "There is no sense of crisis in Prime Minister Suga’s response," and pointed out that "Prime Minister Suga dismissed the possibility of cancellation, saying he was not worried because the crowds at the Olympics were decreasing."
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