November 22, 2020

The government on November 21 decided to review the "Go To" travel and dining-out campaigns amid a "third wave" in COVID-19 infections hitting Japan, but did not give details about what will be subject to its review.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on the same day criticized the decision as "too late" and said, "It is irresponsible for the government to not offer any explanations to the general public."

Koike said, "A lot of people across the country have already applied, are applying, or will apply for the 'Go To' travel and dining-out campaigns. Opposition parties and many doctors' associations have been demanding a review in the 'Go To' campaigns. However, the government has not listened to this demand. A further surge in COVID-19 cases will be the government’s fault."

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said he will "take measures to temporarily suspend new travel reservations to regions at risk of spreading COVID-19" and will "request" restaurants and hotels to consider a temporary suspension of the "Go To" dining-out campaign.

On the other hand, Nishimura Yasutoshi, minister in charge of coronavirus countermeasures, insisted, "There is no evidence suggesting that the 'Go To' campaigns are causing the COVID-19 spread."

Past related article:
> Tamura demands review of ‘Go To’ travel subsidy campaign [November 14, 2020]