Japan to Establish 'Government Task Force' as COVID-19 Cases Rise in Tokyo...

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government has decided to establish a 'Government Task Force' based on the Special Measures Law, citing a rapid increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within Tokyo, NHK reported on the 26th. If the spread of COVID-19 accelerates and poses a serious threat to citizens' lives and the economy, a 'state of emergency declaration' can also be made.

According to the report, the expert panel on COVID-19 established by the Japanese government approved a report stating that "there is a significant concern about the spread" of COVID-19 infections in Japan. Accordingly, Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Kato Katsunobu and Minister for Economic Revitalization Nishimura Yasutoshi held a meeting with Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at the Prime Minister's Office, explained the domestic COVID-19 spread situation based on the expert panel's views, and reported that "the concern about the spread is high."

The Special Measures Law on COVID-19, passed by the Diet on the 13th, stipulates that if the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare recognizes that "there is a significant concern about the spread," they must report to the Prime Minister, who then establishes a task force. Accordingly, Prime Minister Abe decided to establish a government task force based on the Special Measures Law to prepare for unexpected situations such as an explosive increase in infections. The establishment of the government task force will be decided at the Cabinet meeting.

Japan has operated an inter-ministerial task force since the end of January to respond to the spread of COVID-19. However, this is the first time a government task force based on the Special Measures Law has been established since the COVID-19 outbreak. Prime Minister Abe will serve as the head of the government task force.

Once the central government task force is launched, each prefecture will also activate its own task force and implement various measures according to central government guidelines. After the task force is established, if infectious diseases spread rapidly nationwide and pose a serious threat to citizens' lives, the Prime Minister can declare a state of emergency. Upon declaration, governors of Japanese prefectures can request or order residents to refrain from going out and to close schools. Additionally, restrictions on the use of entertainment facilities, forced use of land or buildings as temporary medical facilities, and requests or orders for emergency transportation of supplies will become possible.

Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Kato explained, "I reported to Prime Minister Abe that the COVID-19 spread is increasing mainly in urban areas domestically, that the number of cases where the source of infection cannot be traced is rising, and that the number of confirmed infections among people returning from overseas is increasing."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide said at a regular briefing that regarding questions about the state of emergency declaration, "Since a state of emergency declaration significantly affects citizens' lives, it is necessary to carefully judge based on various expert insights," adding, "At this point, the situation does not warrant such a declaration, and we will continue efforts to have the public understand the measures to prevent the spread of the infection." The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 96 the previous day, totaling 2,019. By region, Tokyo has 212 cases, Hokkaido 167, Aichi Prefecture 154, and Osaka 149.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.