After the government announced a review of its Go To stimulus campaigns in areas where the spread of the novel coronavirus has increased, prefectures that could be subject to the suspension of the campaigns have voiced a mix of opinions.
-- Record high infections
Tokyo confirmed more than 500 new cases of infections on a daily basis for consecutive days last week. On Saturday, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike took issue with the central government regarding its stance to leave the decision to suspend the Go To Travel tourism promotion campaign up to prefectural governors.
"The central government, at its own initiative, included Tokyo [in the travel campaign] on Oct. 1, so I want the central government to make a decision, as I believe that's taking responsibility," Koike told reporters at the Tokyo metropolitan government building.
When the Go To Travel campaign was launched in July, travel to and from Tokyo had been excluded.
A senior official of the Tokyo metropolitan government also expressed confusion, saying, "It's unreasonable for prefectures to decide whether to suspend the program that was launched by the central government."
The central government has also called on prefectural governors to request restaurants to shorten their business hours.
The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering taking measures amid differing opinions. Some of its senior officials are cautious, saying the implementation of such a step requires a basis that it is effective to prevent infections, while others say there is no reason not to implement it in Tokyo as it has the highest number of infections.
In Osaka Prefecture, the daily number of new infection cases has hit a record high on consecutive days.
"As the infections have surged, now is the time we have to toughen restrictions," Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said at a press conference in Osaka on Saturday. "I think the same way as Prime Minister [Yoshihide] Suga. We want to curb the rapid spread of the virus in cooperation with the central government."
Regarding the travel campaign, Yoshimura said, "Osaka could be subject to the suspension."
In addition to limiting the number of people dining out under the Go To Eat campaign, the Osaka prefectural government also intends to suspend the issuance of additional premium meal tickets under the campaign.
-- Fears for tourism sector
In Hokkaido, infections have continued to be on the rise, with more than 200 people confirmed to be infected Saturday.
"We want to respond to the situation calmly," said a senior official of the Hokkaido prefectural government.
As for Sapporo, Shigeru Omi, who chairs the government subcommittee on the novel coronavirus, has pointed out that the city appears to have been in "Stage 3," the level of response needed to avoid a surge in infections.
A senior city government official was aware of such a situation, saying, "As a series of clusters occurred at facilities for the elderly, we're in a critical situation."
Business operators in the city are struggling amid the prolonged pandemic.
"If the travel campaign is suspended, hotels and other businesses will be affected in terms of bookings for the New Year's season," the city government official said. "We hope there will be no companies forced to close down."
In Aichi Prefecture, the daily number of new infection cases exceeded 200 for consecutive days.
"Based on notifications from the central government, we'll consider our response carefully after analyzing the infection status in the prefecture thoroughly," Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura said in a statement.
The National Governors' Association plans to hold talks Monday to discuss its response, said its chairman, Tokushima Gov. Kamon Iizumi.
Iizumi released a statement on behalf of the group, saying: "We believe we are standing at a critical juncture, whether the infections will rapidly spread. Local governments will fully cooperate with the central government's measures to overcome the difficult situation."
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