After the central government declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, companies rushed to decide what actions to take. From Wednesday, supermarkets, banks and public transportation systems, which are necessary for daily life, continued to operate. Many Japanese-style pubs and karaoke chains decided to suspend operations or shorten hours in line with the spirit of the declaration. Meanwhile, department stores were divided over whether to operate their fresh food sales areas.
Major supermarket operators Aeon Co. and Ito-Yokado Co. will continue operations. The shopping malls of the two companies will operate their food sections even while specialty stores are closed. Life Corp., which operates supermarkets in the Tokyo metropolitan and Kansai regions, will further shorten opening hours.
Convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, in principle. However, decisions will be made for each store depending on the situation because some are located in buildings to be closed and some would have difficulties to secure part-time workers. Drug stores selling pharmaceuticals and daily necessities will also stay open.
Demand for online shopping services is expected to increase as the government has asked local residents to refrain from going out for nonessential, nonurgent purposes.
Amazon Japan has already expanded its delivery capabilities. An Amazon Japan spokesperson said, "We would like to continue to deliver products in a stable manner." In order to prevent the spread of infection during delivery, Amazon will implement a new program to finish delivery by leaving the delivered goods outside the house of customers, instead of handing over the goods in person.
Department stores are divided, with some closing and others keeping food floors open.
From Wednesday, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. closed its six stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including its flagship Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district and its main Isetan department store in Shinjuku, until the emergency declaration is lifted.
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. closed its Daimaru Tokyo store and Matsuzakaya Ueno store. Matsuya Co. closed its Matsuya Ginza department store.
Takashimaya Co., on the other hand, kept open its food sales sections at its Nihonbashi, Shinjuku and some other stores. Tobu Department Store Co. also had only its food floors stay open.
Lumine Co., the shopping center operator affiliated with East Japan Railway Co., completely closed five stores, including the ones in Ikebukuro and Yurakucho. However, nine others kept the food sections open.
Fast Retailing Co., which operates the chain of Uniqlo casual clothing stores, has left the decision of whether to keep stores open to the commercial facilities where stores are located. On Tuesday, the company held a press preview of its new Uniqlo store in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama. The store was originally scheduled to open on Friday, but it was postponed to April 13 due to the request to refrain from going out in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Daiichikosho Co., the operator of the Big Echo karaoke shop chain, had before said it would close its Tokyo branches and other facilities through Sunday, but it extended the closing period to May 6 at about 400 outlets in areas subject to the state of emergency. Shops in other areas will be closed through April 26.
Skylark Holdings Co., which operates Gusto and other "family restaurant" chains, plans to shorten opening hours. The company plans to increase the number of employees who handle home delivery services, which are expected to increase in demand due to calls for people to refrain from going out.
Beef bowl eatery chain operator Yoshinoya Co. plans to continue running, but will try to control the number of customers waiting for takeout in its shops.
To prevent the spread of the infection, Pizza Hut Japan Ltd. has started a service to leave ordered items at the front door or other designated places outside homes, instead of having delivery staff hand over products. The service, which is only available for cashless payments, has earned a good reputation from customers.
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