Shinjuku under the corona outbreak: July 20, 2020

 

About six months have passed since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Japan in late January.

The numbers of the confirmed cases as well as victims are relatively low, like some other Asian countries, if we compare the numbers with ones in the U.S. and European countries. The confirmed cases as of July 20 are 25276 while the number of victims is about 1000 (The numbers are about 3.8 million and 140 thousand, respectively, in the U.S.)

Still, the infection is increasing again especially in Tokyo. The daily report of new infection reached 200 in April, decreased to 2-30 level in late May, increased again in the beginning of July and reached 293 on July 17.

Wearing masks and keeping social distances have become common among people.

Shinjuku is one of the busiest shopping areas in Japan.

It is reported that more than total 3.5 million people used Shinjuku Station (JR, Odakyu, Keio and subway) every day before the corona outbreak. It became almost empty in April, when the country declared emergency and asked people not to go out.

The station was not empty today. However, there were not many people. (See also the top, second and 4th photos)

 

The bus terminal near the railroad station was almost empty.

 

I found few people walking in the Shinjuku Street, one of the main streets in the area.

 

Many corona infection cases are found among the guests as well as the hosts and hostess of drinking bars, cabaret clubs (Japanese style hostess bar) and Karaoke bars.

 

There are many such places in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho area. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

I carefully walked the streets in the area in the daytime. I found many Karaoke bars and other bars, restaurants were open. Still there were few people walking in the streets.