NHK WORLD



 

Japan plans to reopen social and economic activities in phases following the lifting of a state of emergency across the nation.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on Monday declared the lifting of the emergency in the last five of the country's 47 prefectures. The final five were Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, as well as the northernmost island of Hokkaido.

Abe said Japan will create a new way of life for the age of coronavirus.
The prime minister noted the risk of infection cannot be brought down to zero even after the lifting of the emergency.

The government plans to relax restrictions at approximately 3-week intervals, while evaluating the extent of infection and the risk of the disease spreading in each region of the country.

Concerts and exhibitions will be allowed to take place, with limits on the number of attendees. The government says the restrictions will be relaxed in phases.

Professional sports, including baseball and J-League soccer games, can start playing from June 19, albeit in empty stadiums at first. The number of spectators will be gradually increased.

The government also plans to allow sporting events of any size to take place starting on August 1, as long as crowd sizes are less than about 50 percent of the facilities' capacities.

Karaoke parlors and gyms will be allowed to reopen on June 1, but they need to put measures in place such as controlling the number of customers.

Live music venues and nightlife spots, such as hostess bars, are asked to remain closed for the time being, as experts are studying infection prevention measures for them. They will likely be allowed to reopen as early as June 19.