July 18, 2020

Japan's capital of Tokyo on July 17 hit a record 293 new COVID-19 cases. An increase in the number of single-day new infections is seen not only in areas around Tokyo but also throughout the country's major cities.

Given this situation, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on the same day demanded that the government postpone the start of its "Go To Travel" campaign as this could cause widespread infections of COVID-19.

Shii held a press conference in the government office building of Kumamoto Prefecture where he was visiting to talk with and obtain requests from local people who are suffering from the recent heavy rains. He criticized the 1.7-trillion-yen measure to stimulate travel which will take effect on July 22 as "totally reckless under the still-alarming coronavirus crisis situation".

In response to the virus spike in Tokyo, the government decided that trips to and out of Tokyo will be excluded from the "Go To Travel" campaign. However, since many people from around the Tokyo area come and go every day, the ongoing surge in Tokyo will be indistinguishable from a possible infection outbreak in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. Therefore, it is highly likely that the exclusion of Tokyo from the stimulus measure will end in being ineffective in terms of the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

In order to truly support tourist businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the need is for the government to provide direct financial support, not by encouraging tourism.