• Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Eat Out
  • Classified
  • PODCAST
    • Apa Kabar Indonesia
    • Atlanta Burmese Voice
    • SungKhom Lao
    • Tam Su Voi
    • Usapang Pinoy
ABOUT
Advertise in GAT
Contact us
Friday, August 19, 2022
Georgia Asian Times
International Insurance of Georgia
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Eat Out
  • Classified
  • PODCAST
    • Apa Kabar Indonesia
    • Atlanta Burmese Voice
    • SungKhom Lao
    • Tam Su Voi
    • Usapang Pinoy
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Eat Out
  • Classified
  • PODCAST
    • Apa Kabar Indonesia
    • Atlanta Burmese Voice
    • SungKhom Lao
    • Tam Su Voi
    • Usapang Pinoy
No Result
View All Result
Georgia Asian Times
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Eat Out
  • Classified
  • PODCAST
Home Feature

Japan issues 3rd virus emergency in Tokyo, Osaka area

Georgia Asian Times by Georgia Asian Times
April 23, 2021
in Feature, Misc Asia
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Tokyo, April 23, 2021 — Japan declared a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three western prefectures on Friday amid skepticism it will be enough to curb a rapid coronavirus resurgence just three months ahead of the Olympics.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo from April 25 through May 11.

The step is largely intended to be “short and intensive” to stop people from traveling and spreading the virus during Japan’s “Golden Week” holidays from late April through the first week of May, Suga said.

“I sincerely apologize for causing trouble for many people again,” said Suga, who earlier had pledged to do his utmost to prevent a third emergency. But he said he is alarmed by the fast=spreading new variant of the virus in the four prefectures and tougher steps are needed.

AD: High Museum of Atlanta

Suga said he will ensure enough vaccines are delivered to local municipalities so all of the country’s 36 million senior citizens can receive their second shots by the end of July — a month behind an earlier schedule.

Japan’s third state of emergency since the pandemic began comes only a month after an earlier emergency ended in the Tokyo area. For days, experts and local leaders said ongoing semi-emergency measures have failed and tougher steps are urgently needed.

Past emergency measures, issued a year ago and then in January, were toothless and authorized only non-mandatory requests. The government in February toughened a law on anti-virus measures to allow authorities to issue binding orders for nonessential businesses to shorten their hours or close, in exchange for compensation for those who comply and penalties for violators.

The measures this time are to include shutdown requirements for bars, department stores, malls, theme parks, theaters and museums. Restaurants that do not serve alcohol and public transportation services are asked to close early. Schools will stay open, but universities are asked to return to online classes.

Mask-wearing, staying home and other measures for the general public remain non-mandatory requests, and experts worry if they will be followed.

Japan, which has had about half a million cases and 10,000 deaths, has not enforced lockdowns. But people are becoming impatient and less cooperative and have largely ignored the ongoing measures as the infections accelerated.

Osaka, the epicenter of the latest resurgence, has since April 5 been under semi-emergency status, which was expanded to 10 areas including Tokyo, a step promoted by Suga’s government as an alternative to a state of emergency with less economic damage.

Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who on Tuesday requested the emergency, said the semi-emergency measures were not working and hospitals were overflowing with patients.

COVID-19 treatment is largely limited to a handful of public-run hospitals, while many small private institutions are not helping out or are unprepared for infectious diseases.

Osaka recorded 1,162 new cases Friday, while Tokyo had 759.

The government has also been slow in rolling out vaccinations, leaving the population largely unprotected before the Olympics begin on July 23.

The May 11 end of the emergency, just ahead of an expected visit by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Back, triggered speculation that the government is prioritizing the Olympic schedule over people’s health.

Suga has been reluctant to hurt the already pandemic-damaged economy and faced criticism for being slow to take virus measures.

Japan’s inoculation campaign lags behind many countries, with imported vaccines in short supply while its attempts to develop its own vaccines are still in the early stages. Inoculations started in mid-February but progress has been slow amid shortages of vaccines and healthcare workers.

The rapid increase in patients flooding hospitals has raised concerns of a further staff shortage and delay in vaccinations. – AP News

 

Tags: Cov-19 vaccineemergency declarationjapan
Previous Post

Senate OKs bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans

Next Post

SpaceX launches 3rd crew with recycled rocket and capsule

Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times

Related Posts

UN envoy tells Myanmar general: End violence, seek democracy
Misc Asia

UN envoy tells Myanmar general: End violence, seek democracy

August 18, 2022
South Korea to pardon Samsung’s Lee, other corporate giants
Misc Asia

South Korea to pardon Samsung’s Lee, other corporate giants

August 12, 2022
US to return 30 looted artifacts to Cambodia
Misc Asia

US to return 30 looted artifacts to Cambodia

August 9, 2022
SE Asia urges US, China to avoid provocation over Taiwan
Misc Asia

SE Asia urges US, China to avoid provocation over Taiwan

August 5, 2022
Pelosi says US will not abandon Taiwan as China protests
Misc Asia

Pelosi says US will not abandon Taiwan as China protests

August 3, 2022
US House Speaker Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, defying Beijing
Misc Asia

US House Speaker Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, defying Beijing

August 2, 2022
Next Post

SpaceX launches 3rd crew with recycled rocket and capsule

Signup Free E-Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Sep 3
September 3 @ 4:00 pm - September 4 @ 9:30 pm

Taiwan Yes Night Market at Atlanta

Sep 17
September 17 @ 11:00 am - September 18 @ 6:00 pm

JapanFest 2022

View Calendar

 

CONTACT US

Follow Us

MOST INFLUENTIAL

GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans Gala celebrates Asian voice

GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans Gala celebrates Asian voice

July 18, 2022

Video highlights of GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia

July 17, 2022

2022 GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia-Awards Gala

July 17, 2022

LINKS OF INTEREST

ATL Asian Film Festival

GAT on Facebook

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise in GAT
  • ABOUT

© 2022 Georgia Asian Times - empowered by 8SOL

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Eat Out
  • Classified
  • PODCAST
    • Apa Kabar Indonesia
    • Atlanta Burmese Voice
    • SungKhom Lao
    • Tam Su Voi
    • Usapang Pinoy

© 2022 Georgia Asian Times - empowered by 8SOL

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist