Coronavirus pandemic

Japan battles virus resurgence while propping up economy

A couple taking a picture at Yanaka Ginza shopping street in Tokyo. An ongoing domestic travel campaign excludes the capital, where Covid-19 cases have risen by more than 400 in the past two days.
A couple taking a picture at Yanaka Ginza shopping street in Tokyo. An ongoing domestic travel campaign excludes the capital, where Covid-19 cases have risen by more than 400 in the past two days. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

TOKYO • Tokyo confirmed 292 new coronavirus infections yesterday, after cases rose by more than 400 in the past two days, public broadcaster NHK said.

Governor Yuriko Koike said last Friday that Tokyo could declare a state of emergency if the coronavirus situation in the Japanese capital deteriorates further, as debate deepened over how to respond to record increases in new infections.

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said yesterday that Japan is trying to both contain a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak and support the economy, especially the tourism sector.

In an interview on NHK, Mr Suga said striking a balance is "extremely difficult", adding that the government is helping businesses avoid bankruptcies through virus relief measures such as special loan programmes.

The government will maintain a travel campaign that excludes Tokyo to support domestic tourism, a key growth driver for regional economies, he added.

REUTERS, BLOOMBERG

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 03, 2020, with the headline Japan battles virus resurgence while propping up economy. Subscribe