With the number of COVID-19 cases once again rising, the debate among government officials, the media and health experts over how, or whether, to once again ask businesses to close down is gaining momentum, though Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the situation isn't dire enough to declare another state of emergency.
But since the middle of this month, calls have been growing among local leaders for the central government to get tougher. Several are calling for governors to be given the authority to shut down, fine and even suspend the licenses of businesses — especially bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges and other entertainment establishments that ignore official requests to close.
The efforts are being led by Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who has the backing of several other governors who want more power to carry out health inspections on individual entertainment businesses and the authority to punish them legally if they refuse to cooperate. But national leaders have expressed caution, noting the proposal would require much debate.