COVID-19 in Japan: Major F&B manufacturers battled to provide ‘business as usual’ during state of emergency
Japanese F&B firms in Japan such as Nissin, Ajinomoto, Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin, Kewpie, Hotei Foods, and Megmilk Snow Brand were battling to provide 'business as usual', despite the state of emergency in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 16, Japan’s Prime Minster Shinzo Abe declared a nationwide state of emergency in all 47 prefectures, in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
PM Abe explained it was not a lockdown, and essential services like clinics, pharmacies, transportation, banks, post offices, delivery services, supermarkets and convenience stores would continue to operate. There were no restrictions on going out to purchase daily necessities.
The government had however encouraged food services such as bars, clubs, to suspend their businesses and restaurants to limit their operating hours.