Japanese Face ‘New Normal’ as CCP Virus Emergency Lifted

People enjoy drinks and dinner following the CCP virus outbreak at the partially reopened Japanese drinking bars alley, on the first day after the Japanese government lifted the state of emergency at Shinjuku district in Tokyo, Japan, on May 26, 2020. Issei Kato/Reuters

TOKYO—A day after Japan ended its state of emergency, Tokyo residents took to the streets with a mixture of relief and trepidation as they prepared for a “new normal” of living with the CCP virus.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency in the capital and four remaining prefectures on May 25, claiming victory for managing to keep total infections relatively low, at about 16,600 cases.

“I want to go out drinking and attend concerts,” office worker Daisuke Tominaga told Reuters in Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods.

People wearing protective face masks, following the outbreak of the CCP virus, walk in the Kabukicho entertainment district, on the first day after the Japanese government lifted the state of emergency in Tokyo, on May 26, 2020. Issei Kato/Reuters

Unlike strict lockdowns in other countries, Japan didn’t force businesses to close and some had reopened even before the restrictions were lifted.

Still, its official end after some seven weeks saw many people returning to work or heading out, while observing social-distancing and wearing masks.

Naoto Furuki, 45, said his morning commute had been more crowded than usual, which was slightly unsettling.

“I’m still a bit worried. There [may be] a second wave of the epidemic, so we still need to be on alert,” he said.

Passersby wearing protective face masks are seen as the spread of the CCP virus continues, at Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, on May 25, 2020. Issei Kato/Reuters

Many children are set to go back to school next week under precautionary measures such as staggered classes.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has warned against complacency and said everyone must get used to a “new normal” of teleworking and staggered commutes until a vaccine or treatment is developed.

Late on May 25, the Rainbow Bridge, which spans northern Tokyo Bay, was illuminated in seven colors to mark the end of the state of emergency.

“Let’s work together so the light of the Rainbow Bridge won’t turn red,” Koike said at a CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus policy meeting on May 26.

Many companies said they would allow staff to keep working from home, while railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway said it would release usage data to help passengers avoid crowded trains.

Electronics giant Sony Corp. said it would only let up to 30 percent of its workforce back to the office in June, while Hitachi Ltd is aiming for half of its work to be done at home.

“We won’t go back to our previous working style,” Hitachi Executive Officer Hidenobu Nakahata told reporters. “We'll accelerate new working practices, making working-from-home a new standard.”

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the CCP virus could change countries’ industrial structure and people’s behavior.

“It may be hard for things to return to the ways before the pandemic hit,” he told parliament.

By Akiko Okamoto and Chang-Ran Kim

Epoch Times staff contributed to this report.