TOKYO (JAPAN) – Financial trader Yuuki Hamazono of Tokyo found it a relief that bars and restaurants in the capital city were violating the government’s request to close by 8 pm. He was one of the many people out in the nightlife district of Shimbashi during the first weekend of the extended state of emergency.
The government request to stay indoors to stem the spread of the pandemic has not gone down well with some city residents.
This month, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency for the capital city and the prefectures surrounding it. He expanded it to 11 more prefectures which account for 55% of the population on Wednesday. Unlike in other nations, Japanese authorities can only urge citizens to remain at home and businesses to close.
Though the rate of compliance is quite high with most of Shimbashi’s karaoke bars and izakaya taverns closed on Friday night. But more people appear to be ignoring the state of emergency.
“There are people who can’t have dinner until after 8 pm, including me,” Hamazono said.
Authorities are concerned about the spread of infections at bars and restaurants. In the nightlife district, many taverns and bars have poor ventilation and are cramped.
Businesses that close on time are eligible for government subsidies, but some say it is not enough and worry about losing patrons.
“Though there are subsidies, for restaurants and bars the relations of trust are important,” said Yuji Tobe, a barman.
“We have a bond with our customers.”
Tobe’s bar was ‘closed’ except for two patrons who were still being served.