Tokyo local governments split on shutting nurseries in virus emergency

Apr 09, 2020 | News On Japan

Apr 09, 2020 (Japan Times) - Municipalities in Tokyo are divided over whether to close the nurseries they operate after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency Tuesday over the virus crisis.

Shibuya Ward in the capital has decided to shut nurseries as early as this week, except for special services for children whose parents work in specific job categories, including police and medical staff.

â€œWe are aware that some people will be in trouble, but we made the decision to protect children from infection,â€ a Shibuya government official said.

The decision dismayed some working parents, including Shinsuke Adachi, a single father with a three-year-old daughter and a son who is not yet a year old.

â€œIâ€™m worried whether I can do my remote work while taking care of my children at home,â€ the 51-year-old company worker said.

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