Japan urges nightclubs to act to stem coronavirus spikes

[TOKYO] Japanese host and hostess clubs must act quickly to ensure they abide by rules to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus after nightlife districts became new hot spots in a resurgence of infections, the economy minister said on Friday.

The call from Yasutoshi Nishimura, tasked with leading Japan's pandemic response, comes as Tokyo reported a record daily high of more than 240 new infections on Friday, public broadcaster NHK said.

Infections in the capital have been creeping up since the government lifted a state of emergency about a month ago, with the notorious Kabukicho red-light district becoming a major source of cases.

"We need to take steps quickly," Mr Nishimura told reporters.

Clusters were first found among Kabukicho's many host clubs - where smartly dressed young men entertain women customers over drinks - and then at the female equivalent hostess or "cabaret" clubs.

Outbreaks have also been found in similar clubs in Ikebukuro's red-light district, as well as in some cafes where women dress up as maids to entertain customers in the Akihabara electronics town.

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"Infections are coming out of host and cabaret clubs and it's important to take firm measures there," Mr Nishimura said.

"We need to make sure they thoroughly follow guidelines."

Mr Nishimura said customers should be provided enough space with good ventilation and should avoid speaking loudly. He said he would meet experts and chiefs of the nightlife districts later on Friday to decide on other measures.

Tokyo's jump in cases has accompanied a rise in testing and Mr Nishimura said authorities needed to be even more aggressive to stamp out the surge.

"We need to further expand PCR testing. We need to boldly expand PCR testing," he said.

Japan has had about 20,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 980 deaths.

REUTERS