Japan to widen talk about of crisis beyond Tokyo while COVID-19 surges: Report

Japanese Primary Minister Yoshihide Suga told a meeting of ruling party executives on Tuesday (Jan 12) he would declare circumstances of emergency for the three western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo to stem the pass on of COVID-19, Kyodo news reported.

Responding to pressure right from Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures in eastern Japan, Suga the other day declared a one-month talk about of emergency meant for that region right up until Feb 7.

However the number of coronavirus cases has also climbed in the west, prompting Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo to seek circumstances of emergency as well. The federal government is finalising plans to do so on Wednesday, and could as well consider adding the central prefectures of Aichi - house to Toyota Electric motor Corp - and Gifu, Kyodo reported, citing government sources.

Japan's top authorities spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, didn't confirm the report, saying just that the government would "swiftly" consider the procedures for the Osaka spot.

Under Japanese law, the prime minister may declare circumstances of emergency, which gives local authorities legal basis to ask people and businesses to restrict movements and work.

Suga features been criticised for what many said was a slow, confusing and piecemeal response to the pandemic due to coronavirus attacks hover near record highs. 

A Kyodo survey published on Sunday showed about 79 % declaring Suga's decision to phone the state of urgent for Tokyo came too late.

Daily coronavirus cases hit a record 7,882 last Fri, bringing the total to practically 300,000, according to public broadcaster NHK.

In order to help the struggling services sector, the federal government had encouraged citizens to visit domestically and dine out by offering generous subsidies, only to hit pause on the programme late last year as COVID-19 cases soared. 

Now, it really is asking residents of the Tokyo area to stay in whenever you can and for bars and eating places to near by 8pm.

"Please refrain from going out not only during the night but also throughout the day," Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Twitter, noting that there had been no reduction in daytime outings above the three-day weekend even beneath the state of emergency.

Like various countries, Japan is struggling to balance containing the spread of the virus with limiting harm to the economy, the world's third-largest.

Financing Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday the federal government would give one-off payouts as high as 400,000 yen (US$3,835) to businesses supporting eating places and bars that adhere to shortened time, such as companies supplying disposable chopsticks and wet towels. 

The restaurants themselves will dsicover maximum compensation rise by 50 per cent, Suga has said.

The most recent state-of-emergency measures wouldn't normally require remaking of state budgets that have already been compiled, Aso said.