Global GDP Tracker Shows Recession Started in March
April 6, 2020, 12:51 AM EDT
"The global economy is already contracting, and is losing steam faster than in the early days of the financial crisis: That’s the main takeaway from Bloomberg Economics’ new global GDP tracker."
moar:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-06/global-gdp-tracker-shows-recession-started-in-march-chart
Abe to declare state of emergency from Wednesday amid surge in virus infections
Today 04:03 pm JST
"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak in Japan, a government official said Monday, as a recent surge in infections sweeps Tokyo and other major cities.
The declaration is expected on Tuesday, and will take effect Wednesday, according to an administration source. Once declared, prefectural governors will be able to tell the public to stay at home and request the closure of schools and other facilities.
Abe is required to specify which areas will be targeted and for how long. Major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka will likely be targeted, the government official added.
The declaration, under a recently amended law, will come as Japan seeks to contain a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, which poses a significant risk to life and to the Japanese economy, the official said.
A growing number of cases in which transmission routes cannot be traced have raised the alarm. Abe has warned of an explosive surge if people let down their guard, having conceded that Japan was barely "holding the line" against the virus.
Pressure has been mounting for the declaration. Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike and Osaka Gov Hirofumi Yoshimura had stepped up calls on Abe to make the declaration, while the Japan Medical Association has also sought the measure amid fears of a health care system collapse."
moar:
https://japantoday.com/category/national/Abe-to-declare-state-of-emergency-from-Wednesday-amid-surge-in-virus-infections>>8701923