When Japan reaches Tokyo, this week’s emergency re-employment

-Japan decided to declare an emergency in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas as early as this week to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). In addition, it has also decided to ban the entry of entrepreneurs from countries where infected with the COVID-19 mutant virus came out. It changed the policy that initially prohibited entry from foreigners until the end of this month, but allowed businessmen to enter the country to revitalize the economy.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at a New Year’s press conference on the 4th that “the number of infected people in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa is not declining and is very high,” and “we are considering an emergency declaration.” Kyodo News Agency reported that it is in coordination with the direction of issuance for one month from the 9th. Prime Minister Suga, who took office in September of last year, has always been passive in proclaiming an emergency situation because of fears of adverse effects on the economy, but it is interpreted that he changed his position when public opinion deteriorated as the number of infected people rapidly increased.

Japan issued an emergency situation for nearly two months for the first time in history from April 7 to May 25 last year. This is a form in which the head of the local government announces specific measures when the prime minister declares an emergency by determining the region and period. Although there is no legal compulsory, school closures, store closures and reductions in business hours, restraint from going out, and work from home have been evaluated as helpful in preventing the spread of Corona 19. Prime Minister Suga said, “We will implement it in a limited and intensive manner (unlike the widespread measures in April last year).”

Prime Minister Suga also said, “For business traffic (11 allowed, including Korea), if a mutant virus is found in other countries, we will immediately ban entry.” In Korea, mutant virus infections from the UK and South Africa have already emerged. For this reason, there is a high possibility that Korean businessmen visiting Japan will be denied entry in the future. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “There has not been any notification of the ban on entry of business officials from Japan.” Prime Minister Suga said, “If an emergency is declared, it will be difficult to resume for the time being.” The suspension period for GoTo Travel, originally scheduled for the 11th, is also expected to be extended. However, it seems that Prime Minister Suga will not be able to avoid the criticism of the “rear-North Korea response”. The opposition party called for an emergency declaration from December last year, when the third epidemic became apparent in Japan. Governor Koike Yuriko and governors of Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures and governors of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama also requested the government to issue an emergency on the 2nd, and it became a form of acceptance by Prime Minister Suga. Prime Minister Suga made it clear that the Tokyo Olympics, which have already been postponed for one year due to Corona 19, will be held this year. He emphasized, “I will do my best to counter infections and prepare with a determination to give hope and courage to the world.”

Tokyo = correspondent Park Hyung-jun [email protected]