Osaka names pachinko parlors spurning shutdown

Apr 25, 2020 | News On Japan

Apr 25, 2020 (NHK) - Osaka has become the first Japanese prefecture to announce the names of businesses that refuse to shut down during the coronavirus outbreak.

Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi disclosed the names of six pachinko parlors on Friday, based on special legislation designed to tackle the outbreak.

The prefecture had asked amusement and sports facilities to close from April 14 through May 6. But it received reports that some pachinko parlors and other businesses were still open.

The prefecture says that the six parlors publicly named did not respond to either verbal or written requests. Yoshimura urged residents not to visit them.

He said the prefecture is asking 28 more parlors to shut down, adding that he would release their names next week if they refuse to comply.

Pachinko parlors are deemed a high-risk environment where the so-called "three Cs" overlap -- closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.

The National Police Agency has told regional police headquarters to dispatch officers to accompany local government officials when they visit parlors that aren't cooperating.

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