Withdrawal of request to government liquor sales business

As a countermeasure against the new coronavirus, the government has withdrawn a request from liquor distributors not to deal with restaurants that do not respond to the suspension of liquor service.

In the future, we would like to improve the effectiveness of the measures with the cooperation of business operators, such as urgently introducing a mechanism to deliver the cooperation money in advance.

The government has requested liquor dealers not to deal with restaurants that do not respond to the suspension of liquor in areas subject to the state of emergency.

However, the government withdrew the request on the night of the 13th, saying that it caused a great deal of confusion, in light of the backlash from the ruling party as well as the opposition and industry groups.

Earlier, the policy of asking financial institutions to comply with the suspension of liquor provision was also withdrawn, and Nishimura, the minister in charge of economic revitalization, said, "My remarks caused confusion and made restaurants uneasy. I am giving and reflecting on it. "

In the future, the government will hurry to introduce a mechanism to advance the cooperation money to restaurants in response to the suspension of liquor provision, and will consider support measures for liquor sellers, etc. We would like to improve the effectiveness of infection control measures at restaurants.

On the other hand, in the Diet, the closing examination of the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives will be held on the 14th.

The ruling party has decided to request a polite explanation of the effects of stopping the provision of alcohol to prevent infection, saying that the remarks made by Minister Nishimura have caused confusion and distrust among the parties concerned.

On the other hand, the opposition party will blame Minister Nishimura for not solving the problem just by withdrawing the request, and will pursue it, saying that the constitution of the entire administration that is trying to put pressure on the difficult food and beverage industry has become clear. It is a policy.