SAPPORO -- Karaoke establishments, which also have daytime hours, have been a persistent source of new coronavirus clusters, and while businesses in Sapporo have taken infection control seriously, many do not expect to recover from a plunge in customers and worry about damage to their reputations.
"The world is gradually recovering, but it looks like a 'third wave' is coming among these daytime karaoke gatherings," said Kuniko Morimoto on the morning of June 24. She runs Karaoke Kissa-Yu in Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo.
A movable screen almost reaching the ceiling divides the space to prevent singers from spreading droplets. Morimoto said she made it herself out of a drying rack and transparent sheet. Customers are also separated by synthetic resin panels.
While holding up a towel soaked in disinfectant, she said customers are asked to wipe off the mic each time they sing.
The establishment reopened for the first time in about a month on June 1 after the state of emergency was lifted.
A number of regulars showed up, but when infections at another location were reported, business dropped off again.
There are days when she only has one customer, which has cut her income to about 20 percent of normal.
"I can't have an infected person come from [my place]," she said, adding that she is refusing new customers and people who have visited other karaoke locations.
She said she has gotten calls from people asking if the clusters were caused by her store.
"There's nothing I can do but try to hold on," she said with a look of grave concern.
Similar effects are being seen in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, where a cluster occurred at a beauty salon.
According to a beautician in her 60s who manages another salon in the city, after the cluster was discovered she received numerous calls asking whether her salon was involved.
She continues to deny this and has kept her business open, asking customers to disinfect their hands when they come in. Still, business has dropped by about 80 percent.
"There are days where no one comes at all," she said, adding that she prays for things to get back to normal soon.
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