The government on Friday asked local authorities and business lobbies to give workers more time off during the upcoming New Year's holiday, when many people visit relatives or go on vacation, to mitigate crowding and thus reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the government's coronavirus response, made the request as he held talks with the National Governors' Association and the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, as well as two other major business lobbies in the country.
"Households spend more when they have days off before and after the year-end and new year holidays," said Nishimura, while also asking for preventive steps for Halloween, another occasion on which a virus spread is feared.