Coronavirus Emergency Being Mulled for Tokyo Area: Suga

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday that the government is considering declaring a fresh state of emergency over the novel coronavirus for the Tokyo metropolitan area. "I think a more powerful message is necessary," given a surge in coronavirus cases in the metropolitan area, Suga said at his New Year's press conference. The government is expected to make a decision as early as this week, sources familiar with the matter said. Suga said the government will first take strong measures in the four areas of infection prevention, border control, medical services and early vaccinations. "Then, the government will consider declaring a state of emergency. It will act quickly to flesh out details to reduce infection risks involving drinking and dining," he said. Measures to be taken under the emergency declaration "will be effective if they are limited and intensive," Suga said, indicating that businesses to be asked to shut down will be limited in scope. They are expected to include bars and restaurants. The government has been asked by the governors of Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa to consider issuing an emergency coronavirus declaration. Previously, the government declared a coronavirus emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures on April 7 last year. The measure was expanded nationwide soon after that. It fully lifted the declaration on May 25 after trimming the area covered by the measure in stages. Suga said that if the emergency declaration is issued, it will be difficult to lift the nationwide suspension of the government's Go To Travel tourism promotion program on Jan. 11 as planned. He reiterated that the government will introduce a bill to strengthen prefectural governors' ability to fight the coronavirus pandemic to parliament during an ordinary session to be convened Jan. 18. The prime minister said that the government is preparing to start coronavirus vaccinations by late February. "I myself will take the lead and receive a vaccination," he said. Suga said he is ready to deploy Self-Defense Forces medical personnel when necessary to ensure medical care during the pandemic. On border control, Suga said the government will immediately suspend a program that allows business trips to and from certain countries such as China and South Korea if new coronavirus variants are found in these countries. Referring to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics postponed for a year to 2021 due to the pandemic, Suga said the government is determined to hold the games in summer as currently scheduled. END