Japan: Pachinko parlours asked to close

The Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has requested that pachinko parlours undertake self-imposed closures due to Coronavirus.

Japan.- Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, has requested that pachinko parlours undertake self-imposed closures in a bid to halt the spread of Coronavirus.

The move is similar to the forced 15-day casino shutdown ordered by the Macau government last month.

“The pachinko industry has been asked to not advertise with the intent of encouraging more people to visit the parlours, and for some locations to impose closure days to contain the spread of the virus,” Suga said.

“The National Police Agency will continue to instruct the pachinko industry to take appropriate measures based on the government’s basic policies,” he added.

Pachinko parlours have already taken some measures under the guidance of the National Police Agency. The government is increasingly pushing for businesses nationwide to shut down and impose quarantine conditions.