It is an unprecedentedly long holiday. Thorough preparations are urged to prevent people's lives from being affected adversely.
In line with the Imperial succession, a 10-day holiday will start Saturday. Positive economic effects are expected, mainly in tourism and retailing, but there have also been concerns over possible confusion in various areas.
Public interest is high about how medical institutions will respond. Depending on local circumstances, major medical facilities that are open on holidays, and private clinics that will cooperate to open in rotation, will provide care to patients with minor symptoms. Patients with serious symptoms will be treated at emergency hospitals in many cases.
A certain number of hospitals will offer regular outpatient care. Local governments should thoroughly disseminate information about medical institutions that will provide medical services during the holiday period.
Preparations are also called for on the patient side. It is advisable to confirm in advance how to cope with any health deterioration, and extra amounts of prescription medicine might need to be set aside.
Many services close to the lives of local residents are handled by their local governments. In many cases, swift responses are needed in circumstances such as natural disasters or outbreaks of infectious disease or food poisoning. Preparedness is essential to prevent any delay in the initial response in the event of an emergency.
Those working in the service sector, such as the tourism and restaurant businesses, are likely to have a hectic period. It is desirable for companies to respond flexibly by taking such measures as allowing employees who will work on the holidays to take vacation after the extended holiday break.
Trouble-free celebration
Many parents who are unable to take all the holidays on the calendar are looking for places that will take care of their children.
To accommodate many children, the government is increasing subsidies to nurseries that will provide temporary care. Hopes are high that the measure will have a helpful effect on securing staff to take care of children.
Some local governments have seen floods of applications for child care services, and are already putting people on waiting lists. Local governments should increase the capacity for the services as much as possible.
An extended holiday also has various impacts on economic activities. Teller services at banks will be halted during the upcoming holiday period, but ATMs will operate on what would normally be a weekend schedule. Crowds are likely for these services shortly before and after the holiday. If cash is need, it is better to prepare it early.
Small and midsize companies are concerned about a shortage of funds due to delays in receiving money from their clients. The Japan Finance Corporation plans to provide bridge loans outside a regular quota. Concerned firms are urged to take advantage of such a system.
Foreign exchange markets are often greatly volatile when the Japanese market is closed. The yen surged during this year's New Year holidays. The government, the Bank of Japan and other financial institutions must exercise great caution to prevent the markets from falling into disarray during not only the holiday period but also before and after the period.
A larger than expected number of people could come out to commercial districts and other locations on the occasion of the change of the Japanese era. Police must make efforts to prevent unexpected situations from happening by gathering information.
It is desired that the new era will be celebrated in a positive mood without any trouble.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2019)
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