Abe Eyes Bill on State of Emergency over Coronavirus

Tokyo, March 2 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the government will draw up legislation so that it can declare a state of emergency if necessary to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. "It's important to make preparations in advance by assuming the worst possible scenario," Abe told a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting. Specifically, the government is considering revising the law on special measures against new strains of influenza, which features emergency provisions to allow the government to limit private rights such as by ordering a halt to gatherings and conducting compulsory goods purchases. Abe said that the government will speedily prepare legislation so that it can take steps equivalent to those allowed under the flu law. The government believes that it cannot apply the flu law to the new coronavirus. The flu law "contains almost everything that needs to be done," Abe said, adding that the government will consult with opposition parties to consider how best to modify it. Abe is considering holdings talks with opposition leaders, including Yukio Edano, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, later this week, sources familiar with the matter said. The law on special measures against new flu strains, created in 2012, enables the prime minister to declare a state of emergency if an outbreak of a new flu strain has a potentially significant impact on people's lives and the economy. When such a state of emergency is declared, prefectural governors can issue orders to close schools, stop the use of theaters and cancel events. Abe also said that his request for emergency blanket school closures that began Monday was not based on the opinions of experts but on his political decision. Asked why he thought the blanket closures are needed, Abe said, "The next one to two weeks are crucial in terms of whether the virus will spread rapidly or be brought under control." "I made the decision at my own responsibility, with little time left to make a judgment," he said. Abe also said that the government will draw up a second batch of emergency measures to contain the virus' spread as early as March 10 using reserve funds. The additional measures will feature financial aid for working parents whose incomes would fall if they have to take leave from work to care for their children due to the school closures, he said. The government is also considering financial support for municipalities that run after-school care centers and other facilities for children and assistance to small and midsize businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis, he said. END