Japan Prepares Administrative Sanctions for COVID-19 Response... 5.31 Million Won Fine for Hospitalization Refusal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Japan has amended related laws to impose fines of up to 500,000 yen (approximately 5.31 million KRW) if hospitalization recommendations related to COVID-19 are ignored.

With this legal amendment, failure to cooperate with epidemiological investigations to identify close contacts will result in fines of up to 300,000 yen (approximately 3.19 million KRW), and failure to comply with orders to close or shorten business hours during a state of emergency may incur fines of up to 300,000 yen.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, the House of Councillors approved the amendments to the "Special Measures Act on New Influenza, etc. (Special Measures Act)" and the "Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases (Infectious Diseases Act)" with the majority support of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, coalition partner Komeito, and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, according to NHK and other Japanese media.

These legal amendments had previously passed the House of Representatives plenary session on the 1st. Both laws were promulgated on the same day and will take effect from the 13th.

Initially, the ruling party sought to punish refusal of hospitalization with imprisonment of up to one year or fines of up to 1 million yen (approximately 10.61 million KRW). Additionally, fines for refusal to shorten business hours were set at up to 500,000 yen.

However, criticism arose that these measures were too severe, leading to a shift from criminal penalties to administrative sanctions and a reduction in the fine amounts. The fact that ruling party lawmakers were found visiting high-end entertainment establishments late at night during the declared state of emergency, which intensified criticism, also influenced the changes to the bill.

The revised laws also include provisions allowing measures such as establishing temporary medical facilities before a state of emergency is declared to alleviate bed shortages.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated, "I want to utilize the law to further reduce the number of infections while fully considering the rights of individuals and businesses and achieving effective results."

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