Tokyo Metropolitan Area Considers Resuming State of Emergency Declaration Amid Severe Global COVID-19 Spread (Comprehensive)

Over 3,000 New COVID-19 Cases in Japan for 6 Consecutive Days... Concerns Over Hospital Bed Shortage
Despite Vaccinations, Europe Faces Fierce Spread... Sharp Increase in Deaths

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese government is reportedly set to resume the state of emergency declaration for Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan areas, which was previously implemented in April last year, as the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) faces a serious resurgence. The United Kingdom, which started vaccinations earlier than any other country, is also seeing 50,000 new daily cases, prompting the government to hint at stronger lockdown measures. Germany is also planning to extend its current lockdown measures. With vaccine distribution progressing more slowly than expected, concerns are rising that countries will strengthen their quarantine measures until the second quarter of this year, when mass vaccination is expected to begin.

Japan Considers Resuming State of Emergency for Tokyo and Metropolitan Area

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to local Japanese media such as Jiji Press and Asahi Shimbun, on the 4th, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is coordinating with the cabinet and political circles to resume the state of emergency declaration as early as this week for Tokyo and the metropolitan areas including Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba prefectures. Prime Minister Suga is also expected to mention this during the New Year's press conference held on the same day.

Previously, from April 7 to May 25 last year, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency for seven regions including Tokyo and implemented the strongest level of lockdown measures restricting residents' movements. After a slight lull, the spread intensified again from November, leading to plans to resume lockdown measures centered on the metropolitan area. According to NHK, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan was 3,158 with 60 additional deaths reported the previous day. With six consecutive days of over 3,000 new cases, concerns about hospital bed shortages are growing not only in Tokyo but across various regions.

UK Prime Minister: "Stronger Measures May Be Necessary"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared on BBC on the 3rd (local time) and stated, "In the coming weeks, stronger measures may be necessary in many parts of the country," adding, "We fully accept this." This is interpreted as a hint at the possibility of a full lockdown in England, following the one last spring. Johnson's remarks are seen as a response to the persistent spread of COVID-19 despite the start of vaccinations. On the same day, UK health authorities reported 54,990 new daily COVID-19 cases, marking six consecutive days of over 50,000 cases. The cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 2,654,779. There were 454 deaths in one day, bringing the total death toll to 75,024. The UK is set to begin the world's first administration of the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University on the 4th (local time).

Germany: "Too Many Cases, Lockdown Extension Necessary"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Germany is also expected to extend the current lockdown measures, which have been in effect since the 16th of last month and were scheduled to last until the 10th of this month. On this day, German Health Minister Jens Spahn appeared on RTL and said, "The number of cases is too high, so extending the lockdown is essential," adding, "The number of patients in intensive care units is at an all-time high." He further explained, "It is better than easing restrictions too early and facing serious problems again a few weeks later."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is scheduled to hold a video conference with regional governors on the 5th, reportedly agreed via a phone call with the governors the previous day to extend the lockdown beyond the 10th. However, there are differing opinions among regions regarding the length of the extension and whether to partially reopen schools and childcare facilities, so no final decision has been made yet. The final conclusion is expected to be reached during the video conference on the 5th.

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