Japan declares emergency for Tokyo area as cases spike

TOKYO (AP) — Japan declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three nearby areas Thursday as coronavirus cases continued to surge, hitting a daily record of 2,447 in the capital.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga issued the declaration at the government task force for the coronavirus. It kicks in Friday until Feb. 7, and centers around asking restaurants and bars to close at 8 p.m. and people to stay home and not mingle in crowds.

The declaration carries no penalties. But it works as a strong request while Japan juggles to keep the economy going.

Shopping malls and schools will remain open. Movie theaters, museums and other events will be asked to reduce attendance. Places that defy the request will get publicized on a list, while those that comply will be eligible for aid, according to officials.

Coronavirus cases have been surging in Japan after the year-end and New Year’s holidays.

Shigeru Omi, the doctor who heads the government panel on coronavirus measures, described the latest wave as “explosive,” requiring the emergency declaration.

Tokyo has logged record daily cases for two straight days, after 1,591 on Wednesday. Nationwide, cases have been growing steadily by more than 5,000 a day.

Some experts say Japan should have acted sooner, and the government campaign to promote travel through discounts was a mistake.

Opinion on having eateries close early is mixed. Places could simply get more crowded in earlier hours.

Dr. Hiroshi Nishiura, an expert on infectious diseases, said that the curve will be mitigated but will continue to rise. He believes more drastic action is needed.

No one thinks COVID-19 will be squelched to zero. That would take a vaccine, expected to start next month in Japan, with health and essential workers first. The rollout is likely to...