Chairman Nakamura’s Comments on the State of Emergency Declaration for the
Coronavirus Pandemic and the Emergency Economic Package

April 7, 2020

A state of emergency has been declared pursuant to the amended Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response. The decision is appropriate as more rigorous measures are essential given Japan’s current situation where the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection remains unchecked and the risk of an explosive spike in infections grows daily.

We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all those battling day and night to combat COVID-19, including medical and nursing staff and government officials. At the same time, we urge everyone in Japan to treat COVID-19 as a serious problem with implications for each of us and comply fully with requests and instructions issued by governors.

The third emergency economic package approved by the Cabinet today is the largest ever. It is a comprehensive set of measures, containing not only those designed to support individuals, SMEs, and others severely affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, but also those aimed at stimulating demand once normality is restored. This is expected to provide a powerful boost to households and sectors facing uncertain outlooks, and we strongly urge the government to monitor trends and move with speed and agility to take additional or supplementary measures as required.

JFTC member companies and the JFTC Secretariat will further reinforce measures to prevent the spread of infection in cooperation with the government, local public bodies, and other relevant agencies, while simultaneously striving to minimize impact on economic activity.