Japan's governors call for business compensation amid nationwide state of emergency

Source: Xinhua | 2020-04-18

Prefectural governors in Japan on Friday called on the central government to pay compensation to businesses that will now have to halt their activities after the state of emergency declared over COVID-19 was expanded to cover the entire nation.

The National Governors' Association, at a meeting convened online, suggested that as well as paying compensation, the central government should also provide subsidies to the tune of 1 trillion yen (9.3 billion U.S. dollars) for local governments.

In turn, the governors said they would be able to provide fiscal support to companies complying with requests to shutter their operations through May 6, when the state of emergency is slated to end.

The governors also urged the central government to do its utmost to try and ensure that the public do not travel to their hometowns or elsewhere during the upcoming Golden Week string of national holidays amid mounting concerns of the further spread of the coronavirus in Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency for the entire country on Thursday extending the order beyond the original seven prefectures covered by the initial declaration made on April 7.

Due to the expanded emergency declaration, prefectural governors can now request people to work at home and refrain from going outside as much as possible, except to buy food and medicine, as well as visit hospitals if necessary.

Under the nationwide declaration, places where people typically gather in large groups may be required to halt their activities.