Restaurant operator in Japan defies new curbs
TOKYO: Japan’s “Kill Bill” restaurant operator said yesterday he will defy new coronavirus virus restrictions and open as normal despite a government suggestion that businesses that break the rules could face new financial penalties.
The government declared a fourth coronavirus state of emergency for the capital, Tokyo, and nearby areas on Thursday just two weeks before the Olympic Games are due to begin. Given the persistent infections, spectators won’t be allowed in any Olympic venues in greater Tokyo.
The coronavirus curbs, to run until Aug 22, include asking restaurants to close early and stop serving alcohol in exchange for a government subsidy.
Kozo Hasegawa, president of GlobalDining Inc, which runs 43 restaurants including one that inspired a bloody fight scene in the movie Kill Bill: Volume I, said he would not obey the rules.
“We will continue our ordinary operations all through this new state of emergency with alcoholic beverages served,” Mr Hasegawa said in a message to Reuters.
Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is also in charge of the pandemic response, suggested late on Thursday he would ask banks to put pressure on eateries that do not comply with the stricter measures.
“We will respond by imposing penalties and other means against those who refuse to comply,” Mr Nishimura said.
Yesterday, after the words “financial institutions”, “pressure”, “Minister Nishimura” became top trending topics on Twitter in Japan, Mr Nishimura said he did not mean to imply that loans should be withheld from such businesses.
Nevertheless, Mr Hasegawa said he was shocked by the minister’s remarks.
“The cabinet seems to be in chaos,” he said, adding that it seemed the minister “doesn’t know much about our constitution”.
Global-Dining outlets have tussled with authorities before.