Chairman's Messages

Chairman's Speeches

Chairman Nakamura’s Comments on Expansion in Scope of
the State of Emergency Declaration for the Coronavirus Pandemic

April 17, 2020

The scope of the state of emergency declaration for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been expanded to encompass all of Japan in response to more widespread infection. This is an appropriate step in light of the current situation, where infection is spreading beyond the seven prefectures originally covered by the declaration.

While the impacts of the state of emergency are encroaching on all aspects of economic activity, economic recovery will not be possible unless the spread of infection is controlled, and now is the time for the public, business operators, the government, and local public bodies to act together with a single purpose.

We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all those battling every day in the medical and government sectors, as well as in such industries as essential infrastructure and the distribution of daily necessities. As the response to COVID-19 extends, many problems are becoming more severe, including economic pain resulting from shutdowns and job losses, and impacts on parents’ and guardians’ work associated with temporary closures of schools, kindergartens, and day nurseries.

The Shosha industry is also facing various issues in areas such as trade and logistics, and I urge all those involved in the industry to cooperate and share the pain as they act quickly to implement bold measures unfettered by conventional concepts and rules.

At the same time, the world is looking ahead to the post-COVID-19 era and starting to search for a new global economic order. In Japan, too, it is vital for the public and private sectors to cooperate in examining new systems based on international collaboration and free trade. Together with all our member companies, the JFTC will collaborate with industries and do our utmost to prevent the spread of infection and maintain economic activity. At the same, we are determined to proactively rebuild supply chains in pandemic-resilient forms.