Upon the expected declaration by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of a state of emergency based on the revised special measures on new types of influenza, prefectural governors in the target areas will have the authority to implement necessary measures. However, these measures cannot prohibit people from going out or public transportation from running, which is necessary for daily life, so there will be no urban lockdowns as seen in other countries.
As stipulated in the law, the governors will be able to mainly implore residents to refrain from going out and to stop using some facilities. Under the law, people are expected to adhere to the requests and go out only when necessary for the maintenance of their lives -- they can still buy food, go to medical institutions and commute to work.
With regard to facilities such as movie theaters, exhibition halls and nightclubs, governors can request or issue instructions on use restrictions or suspensions of the facilities. The contents of these requests or instructions will be made public, but there will be no penalties for violations.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Friday announced a course of action to be taken if a state of emergency is declared, and she said that the sales and distribution of food and medicine would continue, as well as financial services such as banks.
Under the law, governors or the prime minister don't have the direct authority to forcibly stop railways and other public transportation. The railway system is essential for medical workers and people in industries that provide services necessary for people's daily lives.
A transport ministry source said, "We don't even think about stopping public transportation, and we have no legal basis," while there is a possibility of reducing the number of trains.
The government is concerned that confusion may ensue, including a panic caused by a misunderstanding that "the declaration results in an urban lockdown," leading to a rush of shoppers at stores.
"It is different from the Western urban lockdowns. It's a very soft way," Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Sunday on a television program.
"The transportation system works, so you can go to the office," he added. "It is important to reduce meetings by using telework, to go to work at different times, and to avoid person-to-person contact."
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