COVID-19: Japan extends the state of emergency

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COVID-19 has left tourist spots deserted


Although Japan is in the middle of the Golden Week, a stretch of Japanese holidays, popular tourist destinations around the country are eerily quiet with people refraining from going out to contain COVID-19, the new coronavirus. 
Japan extends the state of emergency

 Restaurants in tourist areas are heavily hit because they can't continue operating as they were. Even at the very popular tourist spots usually so crowded that the shoulders would be touched each other during the Golden Week, there are few tourists now visiting. 
Japan extends the state of emergency

 Although there are locals who enjoy jogging and walking, most restaurants and souvenir shops have closed with shutters down. The lodging industry is also at stake. Last month, a hotel management company went into a large scale bankruptcy with a total debt of about 16 billion yen. 

 Due to such a sharp drop in travel demand, travel companies are forced to halt their businesses. Major travel companies such as JTB and HIS are temporarily closed at all offices nationwide.



Japanese PM promised additional steps


Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference on May 4, announcing that the deadline for the state of emergency will be extended to May 31 from May 6. 

 He promised additional steps to mitigate the economic impact of the lockdown, including money to cover rent payments, an expansion of aid to protect jobs and help those who have lost their jobs.

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