Photo/Illutration Chiba Governor Kensaku Morita on April 11 reverses his policy and says he will ask operators of entertainment facilities to shut down. (Mizuki Sato)

Chiba Prefecture reversed its stance and will join other prefectures surrounding Tokyo in asking operators of entertainment facilities to close down to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“If Chiba Prefecture is the only place where entertainment facilities remain open, it could be possible that crowds would rush to the prefecture from other areas,” Governor Kensaku Morita told reporters on April 11.

Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama were among seven that have been placed under a state of emergency since April 7 to deal with the rising number of coronavirus infections.

Unlike his counterparts in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Morita was initially reluctant to call for the closure of entertainment facilities.

After changing his stance, Morita ruled out the possibility of compensating business operators for the shutdown, citing the prefecture’s limited funds.

He said he will call on the central government to draw up measures to address the issue.

The same day, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kumagai announced plans to urge night clubs, music venues, sports facilities, pachinko parlors and other entertainment facilities to close from April 14.

He also indicated the city government will consider compensating business that shut down.

(This article was written by Noriyuki Shigemasa and Mizuki Sato.)

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