JAPAN TO CONTINUE TOURISM CAMPAIGN DESPITE VIRUS SURGE

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga maintained the government's "Go To Travel" campaign to support domestic tourism despite calls for the declaration of another state of emergency amid a resurgence of novel coronavirus infections in Japan, according to Mainichi Shimbun

The move came as the number of new cases totaled 1,696, topping the previous record high of 1,660 marked a day earlier, according to a Kyodo News tally based on official data, with health experts warning of a possible "third wave" of infections.

Though recognizing the "clear signs of an upward trend" in coronavirus cases, particularly in Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi prefectures as well as Hokkaido, Suga called on the public to take "basic preventive measures" to halt the spread of infections.

The government is working with local municipalities to conduct large-scale testing and send medical personnel to regions that are experiencing outbreaks, he said.

The prime minister also instructed his Cabinet members to tackle the situation with "the utmost vigilance."

To address growing concern about the resurgence of infections, the government said it is considering setting up a new post in the Cabinet Secretariat with enhanced authority to quarterback the country's anti-virus measures.

Opposition parties criticized the government's response to the pandemic, saying the latest rebound in infections stemmed from the government's measures to promote domestic tourism, a sector hit hard by the spread of the virus.

Kazuya Shimba, secretary general of the Democratic Party for the People, urged the government to review the travel promotion initiative.

Citing the surge of infections in Hokkaido, a popular tourist destination in northern Japan, Shimba said the development was "clearly attributable to the campaign."

"There is a possibility that movements (of people) will accelerate in the year-end and New Year period. We should seek advice from experts," he said.

Tomoko Tamura, policy chief of the Japanese Communist Party, said the government should end the promotion campaign across the country.

"If infections expand further, it will deal a severe blow to the tourism industry," Tamura said.