NHK



 

The head of the Japanese government's coronavirus advisory panel said that some local governments should consider pushing back the start of the new school term in order to curb the spread of infections.

Omi Shigeru made the comment at a Lower House health committee meeting on Wednesday.

Omi said that infections are spreading in Tokyo at a slower speed, but that the number of new cases has not declined by much. He noted that it is too early to determine when the number of infections will dramatically go down.

He pointed out that the strain on the medical system and the high number of patients with severe symptoms will likely continue for a while.

He said that the reopening of schools could trigger a further spike in the number of infections and place a burden on the medical system.

Omi said effective and convincing measures must be implemented with an abundance of caution. He also noted that local governments should consider delaying the start of the new school term.

Omi was asked why the medical system has come under serious strain. He said the government and the advisory panel shared a sense of crisis, but that the government's analysis at times may have been slightly more optimistic than that of the experts.

Omi questioned the wisdom of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach's visit to Japan for the Paralympic Games, which opened on Tuesday.

He wondered why Bach could not have delivered his remarks online, as the Japanese government has been asking people to telework. He said that was just a personal thought he had as a member of the general public.

He added that Bach went to Tokyo's Ginza shopping district when he visited Japan for the Olympics.