Govt mulls canceling March 2011 memorial ceremony

Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko bow at a 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake memorial ceremony hosted by the government in Tokyo on March 11, 2019. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The government is considering the cancelation of this year's 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake memorial ceremony, which is scheduled to be held in Tokyo on March 11, due to the spread of the new type of coronavirus, some government sources said Tuesday. A final decision will be made soon.

Despite searching for an option to hold the ceremony on a limited scale, a source said the government decided that holding such a ceremony "will unavoidably create a situation in which many people gather in one place."

Some local governments of affected areas have also decided to cancel or postpone this year's memorial ceremonies.

Crown Prince Akishino, left, gives a speech standing next to Crown Princess Kiko at a 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake memorial ceremony hosted by the government in Tokyo on March 11, 2019. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The Imperial couple, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of disaster victims are among those expected to attend the ceremony hosted by the government.

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