Japan Downtowns Quiet After Emergency Declaration
Downtowns across Japan were quiet on Saturday, the first weekend since the government declared the state of emergency in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
There were few people on Takeshita Street in Tokyo's Harajuku district, usually bustling with young people.
Many clothing shops and variety stores remained shut, with notices saying they were temporarily closed.
Some eating establishments and drug stores were open with shorter business hours.
At a restaurant that has been in operation for 13 years, the window was open for ventilation and the tables were sanitized. But one hour after it opened on Saturday, there were still no customers.
The owner, who is in his 50s, said he has never seen so few people, and that numbers have dropped even further since the emergency declaration. He said although there is no commercial incentive for him to stay open, he will continue to do so, while taking preventive measures and reducing his hours of trade.
