Japanese governors demand state of emergency

From left, Saitama Gov. Motohiro Ono, Chiba Gov. Kensaku Morita, Japan's Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Kanagawa Gov. Yuji Kuroiwa meet journalists in Tokyo after Tokyo and three nearby Japanese prefectures have asked the national government to declare a state of emergency, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. AP

The Japanese capital, Tokyo, and three nearby prefectures have asked the national government to declare a state of emergency to curtail the surging spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

``In the name of valuing life, we made this plea together,'' said Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike after meeting for three hours on Saturday with the minister in charge of coronavirus measures, along with the governors of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.

Japan has seen a recent rise in reported cases of COVID-19, especially in urban areas. Tokyo saw a daily record of 1,337 cases on New Year's Eve.

Worries are growing about hosting the Olympics, set for July, with 11,000 Olympic athletes set to enter Japan, as well as tens of thousands of officials and media.

People wearing face masks to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus walk along Sensoji temple shopping street in the Asakusa district of Tokyo on January 2, 2021. AFP-Yonhap

``Corona knows no calendar,'' said Koike, referring to her worries about infection growing during the New Year's holidays.

``Hospitals are getting packed, affecting medical care for all.''

The minister said both sides agreed the situation was critical, but medical experts will be consulted before action is decided.

Japan has never had a lockdown, attempting to juggle the need to keep the economy going with health risks. The issued warnings carry no penalties.

The government has also been sending conflicting messages with a campaign to encourage travel with discounts, although that has been discontinued.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has come under criticism over what some see as his mishandling of the pandemic. Japan has had more than 3,500 deaths so far related to the coronavirus. (AP)