Travelers Returning To Airports, Train Stations
People are returning to airports and train stations in Japan, as the government lifted its restrictions on cross-prefectural travel on Friday.
At Tokyo's Haneda airport, many businesspeople and families were seen at a domestic terminal.
A man in his 50s was flying to Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, for business and to see his mother. He said he wasn't sure it's a good idea to travel, but that he had to for work and would take precautions.
Another man in his 50s and his wife were off to Okinawa, southern Japan, to see their son. They said they felt lucky that the restrictions were lifted on the day of their departure, and that they would keep wearing masks and refrain from going out once they arrived.
Airlines have increased their flights since Japan's state of emergency was lifted late last month.
Japan Airlines says the daily number of passengers at the terminal this week exceeded 5,000. That's nearly four times the figure during the state of emergency.
Meanwhile, the number of Shinkansen bullet train users at Tokyo Station on Friday appeared to be down from previous years.
A station official said staff hope to ease passenger concerns by taking thorough anti-infection measures.
Central Japan Railway Company officials have been disinfecting ticket machines daily and plastic sheets have been in place at ticket windows since mid-April to prevent exposure to airborne droplets. The firm has also improved Tokaido bullet train ventilation to freshen air inside cars every six to eight minutes.
