Japan Reviews Emergency Measures for Okinawa Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases... First Instance Since Kishida Administration Inauguration

▲Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Amid a sharp resurgence of COVID-19 in Japan, the Japanese government is considering implementing emergency measures in Okinawa Prefecture. If enacted, this would be the first emergency measure since the inauguration of the Kishida Fumio administration.

According to Kyodo News on the 5th, the Japanese government is reportedly reviewing the application of focused measures for Okinawa, where new infections of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are rapidly increasing.

The government is expected to decide as early as this week whether to apply these focused measures to the region.

Focused measures are the highest level of infection control measures, equivalent to a state of emergency, issued by the Prime Minister based on requests from local government heads.

In areas where focused measures are applied, local governors can request or order restaurants and other businesses to shorten their operating hours, and business owners who violate these orders may be fined up to 200,000 yen.

In Japan, the state of emergency and focused measures that were in effect in Tokyo and other areas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics last July were fully lifted on September 30 of last year, following the containment of the fifth wave of infections.

Therefore, if focused measures are reapplied to Okinawa, it will be the first case since the Kishida administration took office on October 4 last year.

On the 4th, Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny conveyed by phone to Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu that "the speed of infection spread is increasing day by day, and it is necessary to consider strong measures such as restricting people's movement and economic activities," indicating his intention to consider requesting the application of focused measures.

Minister Matsuno responded, "If a formal request is received, we will review it promptly."

In Okinawa Prefecture, community transmission of Omicron, presumed to have originated from U.S. military bases beyond the control of the Japanese government, is spreading.

On the previous day (the 4th), when Japan recorded 1,268 new COVID-19 cases nationwide, Okinawa confirmed 225 new infections, the highest among the 47 prefectures.

The number of new infections over the past week was 25.79 per 100,000 people, which is ten times the national average.

Notably, 47 new Omicron cases were reported on the 4th alone, bringing the total to 135, most of which are known to be linked to U.S. military bases.

As the spread of Omicron signals a sharp increase in new cases, the Japanese government has revised its policy of hospitalizing all Omicron patients, allowing accommodation facilities or home care depending on symptoms.

For those under home care, medical visits will begin on the day of or the day after diagnosis, and oral antiviral medications will be made available.

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