Japan approves bill to give PM Shinzo Abe emergency powers to tackle coronavirus

Japanese Parliament approved a bill on March 13 to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emergency powers to take drastic measures in wake of coronavirus crisis. amended bill will w let Japan’s PM close schools and cancel large garings in order to contain and mitigate risk of COVID-19. 

While Abe has alrey requested schools to shut down and event organisers to cancel large garings, y are bound to comply with it. Abe can w issue orders for similar action but he has to declare a state of emergency to avail new powers. bill was approved in Upper House after it was passed in Lower House on March 12.

Japan has reported almost 1,400 coronavirus cases including around 696 cases from Diamond Princess cruise ship which remained quarantined off Japanese coast for two weeks. A total of 26 people have died till date including seven from cruise ship.

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'IOC will make final decision'

re have been speculations around possible cancellation of Tokyo Olympics but Japan's Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto dismissed it saying postponement or cancellation is “inconceivable”. Hashimoto told Parliament that athletes have been making justments and preparations for this once-in-four-years event and it is inconceivable to cancel or postpone it.

“It is IOC (International Olympic Committee) who will make a final decision on Games...we think it is important that government gives correct information so that IOC makes an appropriate decision,” said minister in Parliament.

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Several countries have started taking drastic measures to combat coronavirus after World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it as a pandemic. However, WHO chief warned idea of shifting from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous. WHO Director-General Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said that describing it as a pandemic does t mean that countries should give up.

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(With inputs from ncies)