Smokers in Nagoya are struggling to find a place to smoke in public places amid the coronavirus outbreak, as a smoking area near a key station was shut down to prevent crowds of people.

On April 23, the municipal government temporarily closed an outdoor smoking area in front of Nagoya Station, the gateway to the Tokai region. It is the only smoking place in public space managed by the municipal government.

The area is sealed off with yellow tape and signs indicating it is shut down.