Miki Watanabe, chairman of the izakaya chain giant Watami, pointed out that the government's decision was late regarding the extension of the state of emergency in the metropolitan area's 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures, and said that it would be until 8:00 pm. He said that the request for shortening business hours should be reviewed according to the actual situation of infection and the size of the store.
In response to the state of emergency, Watami closed about 80 stores in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures, but has resumed business hours by 8 pm by the 8th.
However, as we have been making preparations such as purchasing ingredients on the premise that the declaration will be lifted on the 7th, it is said that the deficit will expand if we can not do business after 8 pm as it is.
Regarding this, Watami's chairman Watami said at a press conference on the 8th, "If we knew the extension three or four days earlier, we would not resume business. The resumption will cause great damage," and extended the state of emergency. He pointed out that the government's decision on the matter was slow.
In addition, regarding the request to shorten the business hours, which is uniformly set to 8 pm, Chairman Watanabe said, "We should investigate how the business hours and the size of the banquet lead to infection. Unless there is a grounded regulation. It is difficult to accept, "he said, recognizing that it should be reviewed according to the actual condition of the infection and the size of the store.