Photo/Illutration Commuters in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward on May 12, the first day of the extended state of emergency over COVID-19 (Hiroyuki Yamamoto)

A “ho-hum” attitude was expressed among commuters, businesses and the general public on the first day of the extended state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many said the declaration has no effect on their lives. Some were elated that the government allowed for an easing of anti-virus measures, but others questioned if those relaxed rules were sending a mixed signal on the seriousness of the novel coronavirus situation.

The state of emergency, initially scheduled to end on May 11, was extended in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures until May 31. Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures were added to the list from May 12.

Just after 8 a.m. on May 12, commuters and high school students formed lengthy lines at the ticket gates of JR Ueno Station in Tokyo.

“I am disappointed that the (state of emergency) has been extended,” a 55-year-old accountant said at the station.

He said the central government’s decision to extend the state of emergency “does not particularly change the nature of my work.”

“That is why I am commuting today, just like I did yesterday,” he said.

Although government authorities have urged people to work from home, he said he is allowed to telework only once or twice a month.

“I don’t think the virus will be contained soon unless (the government) imposes a lockdown at least,” he said. “I think everybody is fed up with the same old routine.”

Tokyo is now under its third state of emergency. All of them have been extended.

But under this extension, the central government allowed an easing of requests for businesses to restrict crowd sizes or shut down.

The central government planned to reopen five national facilities in Ueno, including the National Museum of Nature and Science, on May 12.

However, the decision was reversed on May 11 after the Tokyo metropolitan government sent a strong request to the Cultural Affairs Agency.

On May 12, a “closed” sign appeared at the entrance of the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park.

Among the three Kansai prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, large-scale commercial facilities are taking different approaches under the extended state of emergency.

Department stores in Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures had closed all floors except the ones that sold essential goods, such as food. But now, floors and sections selling nonessential items are open on weekdays.

Daimaru Kyoto in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward reopened all shops. About 20 people waited in line before the department store opened at 10 a.m.

A 42-year-old man who owns a restaurant in the city said he visited the department store to check out expensive watches.

“I come here all the time, but I couldn’t because of the state of emergency,” he said. “I can finally take them in my hand to have a look.”

However, in Osaka Prefecture, where the medical system is under enormous strain from the increase in COVID-19 patients, department stores kept nonessential floors and sections closed, complying with the prefectural government’s request.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, commuters and students wearing masks came and went at JR Hakata Station on the morning of the prefecture’s first day under the state of emergency.

A 60-year-old company employee who commutes from neighboring Saga Prefecture to Fukuoka city said, “I think the effectiveness of the state of emergency declaration has gradually diminished.”

He said his company let employees work from home when the first state of emergency was issued in April 2020. But this time, employees must show up for work.

Many commuters were also seen at JR Nagoya Station just past 8 a.m. on May 12.

“It seems the crowds are a little smaller but not much different,” said a 50-year-old man who works at a nearby office of an IT company.

A 20-year-old company employee disagreed, saying, “I don’t think the crowds are smaller.”

He said his training period will end on May 12, but he is supposed to keep going to the office after that.

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