Silent Japan

Illustration of silence in Japan (Photo by Dino Sabic on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - No more hustle and bustle in a number of big cities in Japan. Many shops were closed. Very few pedestrians were seen. Japan is now very quiet. Japan is now entering a new phase. The government there officially declared a state of emergency to deal with the outbreak of a new type of corona virus. Reporting from Kyodo News, Wednesday, April 8, many malls have closed. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. closed all six of the Mitsukoshi and Isetan department stores in the metropolitan area. Meanwhile, Matsuya Co. Tokyo's Ginza shopping area was also closed.

Business centers in Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures have also decided to close until May 6. But supermarkets, drugstores and a number of other places that provide essential services remain open. Including several department stores that sell food.

Entertainment venues such as cinemas, bowling alleys and shops inside the station building, are practically closed. Some restaurants such as McDonald's and Starbucks no longer operate a 24 hour service system.

The mode of transportation in Japan is still running. However, the number of train and bus passengers has dropped dramatically.

"On a typical morning, traffic is very busy here, but I feel there are fewer passengers (today)," said a Japanese resident in front of JR Yurakucho Station in central Tokyo.

Indeed, not all employees just stay at home. Some workers still have activities outside the home. But usually because of an important business.

"I hope this ends quickly so we can go out happily," said another Japanese.