JAPAN: Government prepares for transition to post-emergency “new lifestyle”
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Thursday, 14 May that, as expected, Japan’s state of emergency would be lifted for 39 prefectures, but would remain in place in the eight prefectures of the greater Tokyo and greater Osaka regions. The prime minister’s decision was a res… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
JAPAN: Government prepares for next steps as new infections fall
● The Abe government will likely decide to lift the state of emergency for the majority of Japan’s 47 prefectures on Thursday, 14 May. ● The administration, contending with prefectural governors who have offered their own plans for exiting from social distancing, plans to issu… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
JAPAN: Government considers what comes next as Abe extends emergency
● On 4 May, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended the nationwide state of emergency until 31 May, with the possibility of lifting some or part of the emergency by 14 May. ● The government is still seeking to reinforce Japan’s ability to detect and contain outbreaks ahead of relax… Become a member to read […]
JAPAN: Abe prepares to extend state of emergency even as new cases shrink
● On Friday, 1 May, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated that, based on the advice of his expert advisers, he would announce roughly a month-long extension of the nationwide state of emergency on Monday, 4 May. ● The nationwide state of emergency appears to have slowed the outb… Become a member to read the […]
JAPAN: BOJ shifts toward more open-ended support for public and private sectors
At a truncated policy meeting on Monday, 27 April, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced that it would remove the JPY 80tn (USD 746bn) target for government bond purchases that has been in place since 2014. For now, this step will be mostly symbolic – the bank has bought considerably… Become a member to […]
JAPAN: Cabinet approves revised budget, significantly increasing fiscal outlays
At a special cabinet meeting on Monday, 20 April, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approved a significant change to the government’s stimulus package. Instead of providing JPY 300,000 (USD 2,875.50) to low-income households, the government will provide cash payments of JPY 100… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Abrupt policy shifts reveal Abe’s faltering leadership
● Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly changed course on both pillars of his Covid-19 strategy on Thursday, 16 April, after a round of poor opinion polls and widespread criticism from prefectural governors and ruling party backbenchers. ● The state of emergency introduced on 7 Apr… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
JAPAN: Abe struggles to find his footing after emergency declaration
● After declaring a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has struggled to deploy its new emergency powers effectively as it strives to contain Japan’s Covid-19 outbreak. ● The Abe government has been at odds with prefect… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
JAPAN: With emergency declaration, Abe admits that light-touch approach failed
● Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency on Tuesday, 7 April, enabling the governors of Tokyo, Osaka, and five other prefectures to request restrictions on individual and business activity to contain the Covid-19 outbreak. ● Recognizing the growing impact … Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Abe’s troubles grow as case count rises
● Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is under pressure from medical experts, business leaders, and national and local politicians to declare a state of emergency as the second wave of Japan’s Covid-19 outbreak spreads. ● In the meantime, the Abe administration is contemplating unpreced… Become a member to read the rest of this article