The Japan Medical Association on Wednesday expressed that it was time for the government to declare a state of emergency, which is based on a revised special measures law, to get hold of the spread of the new coronavirus in various areas of the country.
The original special measures law, enacted in 2012 to counter new strains of influenza, was recently revised to allow the prime minister to declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
At a press conference on the day, JMA President Yoshitake Yokokura said, "Japan could also wind up just like the West, which is currently unable to stop the spread of infections, if we let our guard down," making clear the sense of danger. He also urged the government to "speed up more [to deal with the crisis]."
He said his comment was based on requests from medical associations throughout the country, with a special focus on the Tokyo metropolitan area, Osaka and Aichi Prefecture.
JMA executive board member Satoshi Kamayachi, who is also a member of a government expert panel for the new coronavirus, said, "As of right now, the medical system is not on the brink of collapse, but in order to protect against such an outcome, a national emergency must be declared immediately."
In accordance with the law, should the prime minister declare a national emergency, all of the nation's prefectural governors will have great jurisdictional powers. In order to establish temporary medical facilities, plots of land and buildings can be commandeered and essential medicines and food products can be expropriated.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
