A legal change this week will allow Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a state of emergency to address the new coronavirus outbreak if he deems it necessary.
But as the total number of infections in Japan surpasses 1,000, including about 700 from a quarantined cruise ship, the new power symbolizes a dilemma for Abe: Bolder steps to curb infections will raise the chances of the economy entering recession.
Abe, who faced criticism for being too relaxed in his initial response to the outbreak, which is proving deadly to the elderly, has recently taken tougher action. Steps include a nationwide request to close schools that took many by surprise, and restrictions on visitors from China and South Korea that could severely hit the tourism industry.