Japan's Health System Is Critical, Tokyo And Many Other Cities Are In Emergency Status

Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga (Twitter / JPN_PMO)

JAKARTA - Japan's public health system is in critical condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hospitals are becoming overwhelmed by the pandemic. For this reason, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency in many areas including Tokyo.

Suga issued a state of emergency for Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures on Tuesday, January 19. The efforts made by Suga were none other than to stem the spread of the new corona virus. It also plans to expand the state of emergency to seven more prefectures, including Osaka and Kyoto in western Japan.

“What's important is to provide the necessary medical services to people in need. We will do all we can to protect the medical system, ”said Suga.

Suga also said he would deploy a medical team from the military (SDF) when needed. "We are all ready to deploy the Self Defense Forces medical team if requested by the governor," he added.

Even though Japan is not as badly hit by the pandemic as other developed countries. However, as the number of COVID-19 transmission continues to increase in recent weeks, Japan Medical Association President Toshio Nakagawa said the country's public health system is critical.

Even the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Japan to close its doors on foreigners who want to enter and limit large-scale events. As a result, Administrative Reform Minister Taro Kono said last Thursday the Olympics would be postponed again until an indefinite time limit.

However, Suga reiterated his determination to host the Tokyo Olympics this summer. "We will continue to move forward with preparations, determined to establish waterproof anti-infection measures and hold events that can bring hope and courage to the world."

So far Japan has confirmed 330,715 cases of COVID-19 transmission. Among them, there were 4,305 cases died.