Abe Welcomes Tokyo's Decision On Business Closures
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo says it's good that the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments have agreed on the types of businesses that will be requested to close temporarily under the state of emergency to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Abe told reporters on Friday that it is important to do everything possible under the law to contain the spread of infections.
He said the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments share the hope that the outbreak will end soon and everyone can smile and talk again.
He said people should refrain from going outside as much as possible, and great efforts are being made to reduce social contact through teleworking and other methods.
Abe added that there have been fewer people in entertainment districts at night, but cautioned that greater efforts are needed in some areas, saying this will help to protect people's lives.
He said people are being forced to put up with inconveniences, but the state of emergency can end after one month if social contact is reduced by at least 70 percent, and hopefully by 80 percent.
