TOKYO (JAPAN) – Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to further curb the travel subsidy initiative, which came under fire, in order to stem the spread of the pandemic. This comes as his ratings have tanked over the manner in which he is handling the crisis.
Late on Monday, he will chair a meeting to discuss plans about the travel campaign, his office said.
Suga might put on hold the travel campaign in Tokyo as well as Nagoya, according to local media.
The governors of Tokyo and Aichi, which includes the city of Nagoya, are holding talks with the central government to decide whether or not to halt the programme.
Government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said the “Go To Travel” campaign, aimed at reviving regional economies and helping hotels and airlines, has helped stimulate demand for tourism.
Kato added that the government also wishes to stem the spread of the pandemic while promoting economic activity. “That balance depends on the situation in each region,” he said.
Although experts opine that the campaign may help the spread of the virus, the prime minister said that an abrupt halt to the campaign was not under consideration.
Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said on Saturday he had asked the government to extend the suspension of the programme in the region.
With the onset of winter, Japan has seen infections worsening, especially in regions such as the northern island of Hokkaido and the city of Osaka.
Japan marked more than 3,000 new cases for the first time in one day on Saturday and Tokyo witnessed 621 new cases.
Bars and restaurants in Tokyo have been told to close by 10 pm during a three-week period that ends this week. The Kyodo News reported that Governor Yuriko Koike might extend this period.
“If the economy is destroyed, then it can become serious trouble,” Suga said during a virtual town hall on Friday.
His ratings have tanked over the handling of the pandemic, said polls. A Mainichi newspaper poll on Saturday showed his approval rating sliding to 40%, a 17% point fall compared with last month.