Considering Suspension of 'Go To Travel' Amid Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Cases in Japan

Considering Temporary Suspension Measures for Two Months Including Year-End and New Year Period

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government is reportedly considering temporarily suspending the domestic travel support program 'Go To Travel' due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 11th, the private broadcaster news network NNN reported, citing government officials, that the Japanese government is reviewing a plan to temporarily halt Go To Travel for two months, including the year-end and New Year holidays, and to extend the implementation period by the length of the suspension.

According to a joint public opinion survey conducted last week by Yomiuri Shimbun and NNN, nearly 80% of respondents favored either "temporarily suspending" or "stopping" Go To Travel.

A government official stated, "After seeing the survey results, there has been a change in Prime Minister Suga's thinking."

The government is expected to receive proposals from the infectious disease expert subcommittee meeting held on the same day and decide on the response to Go To Travel at the COVID-19 task force meeting on the 12th.

In Japan, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been rapidly increasing recently.

According to NHK, on the 10th, 2,972 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed nationwide in Japan. This surpassed the previous highest record of 2,810 cases on the 9th in just one day.

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