Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a month-long state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas of the country after a spike in coronavirus cases.“I decided that a situation feared to gravely affect people’s lives and the economy has occurred… I am declaring a state of emergency,” Abe said.The order will empower the local governments to enforce curbs on businesses and the movement of people to contain the spread of the virus. Besides Tokyo, the measure will be implemented in Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka.
The announcement comes after these areas witnessed a spike in COVID-19 infections over the past few days, with Tokyo alone reporting over 140 cases in a single day on April 5, further escalating the crisis, which till then had been relatively on a lower side of the threat level.The health facilities in Tokyo are bracing for a patient rush over the next few days and have warned of a chaotic situation if the preventive restrictions were delayed.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has asked the residents to cooperate with the government measures. “It may cause inconvenience in daily life, but I call for everyone’s cooperation because lives are at stake,” she told reporters.On April 6, Abe had unveiled a stimulus package worth around $1 trillion to prevent a looming slide in the economy.Japan has reported over 1000 COVID-19 cases so far, and the health services fear a rapid increase in the numbers in view of the potential of the virus’ quick transmission observed in other countries.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
DiplomacyDecember 14, 2024India, Iran and Armenia Advance Connectivity Push with Trilateral Talks in New Delhi- DiplomacyDecember 13, 2024Brazil’s G20 Presidency will focus on tangible results on UNSC reforms, climate action
- DiplomacyDecember 6, 2024India and Vietnam Strengthen Security Ties at 3rd Deputy Ministerial-Level Dialogue
- India and the WorldDecember 6, 2024India and UK Revitalize Strategic Ties at 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi
