Firings and work contract terminations spurred by the effects of the new coronavirus stood at 5,500 as of Monday, a more than threefold increase from about a month ago, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
It was a sharp increase from 1,677 registered at Hello Work employment offices across the country around April 7, when the nationwide emergency was declared. The 5,500 include those who were about to lose their job or have had their contract terminated.
The firings and work contract terminations were especially seen in the lodging industry made up of hotels and ryokan inns, as well as tour bus groups and other passenger-transportation industries.
Food service and manufacturing industries were also among sectors obliged to fire people or terminate work contracts.
The increase is believed to have been driven by restrictions put in place regarding going outside and business operations being suspended following the nationwide declaration of a state of emergency, in addition to fewer foreign visitors.
There were about 100 firings and work contract terminations per day, at most, until the first half of April, when it often rose to hundreds per day, according to the ministry.
"There is a possibility during this one month that we have more companies whose business conditions have sharply deteriorated," a ministry official said. "We will continue supporting to maintain employment."
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