Shops Closed In Tokyo, Osaka Amid Covid Emergency
Many large commercial facilities in Tokyo and Osaka were closed on Sunday, as Japan's third coronavirus state of emergency took effect.
The Japanese government declared the emergency for the capital and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo. It will run until May 11.
Commercial facilities with floor space of more than 1,000 square meters, such as department stores, shopping centers and movie theaters, are asked to close, with the exception of areas that offer daily necessities.
Department stores in Tokyo's Ginza district were closed on Sunday, except for floors handling food, cosmetics and some other items.
At Matsuya Ginza, only a few sections were open, and with shortened hours. Customers were seen arriving at the food floor after it opened at 11 a.m.
In Osaka, few people were seen in the usually busy commercial district of Umeda.
A student from Hyogo Prefecture said she came to Osaka to attend her university's guidance counseling. She said she wanted to enjoy shopping, but that is impossible now.