Japan: Pachinko parlours reject government lockdown request

Pachinko parlours have been asked to close due to a fourth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan, but it seems the industry is not willing to close shop.

Japan.- While Japan is facing a new state of emergency as Covid-19 cases continue to rise, pachinko parlours appear to be rejecting a request from the government to close.

Several kinds of businesses have been asked to close their doors until May 11 in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases, including pachinko parlours, which were already facing economic difficulties.

The pachinko buisiness appear to have decided not to accept the request and to continue operating.

According to local media, pachinko associations had previously requested an exception to continue working but the government denied the request.

In Tokyo, authorities also asked smaller businesses, including pachinko parlours to close and turn off neon signs after 8pm to discourage people from going out at night. As for now, it seems the only rule the pachinko businesses have decided to comply with.

In 2020, the number of active pachinko halls fell by 584 to 8,302, a 7 per cent decrease year-on-year.