Stay-at-homes in Japan double as coronavirus surges

Olympics delay supported widely across political lines, Nikkei poll finds

The iconic scramble crossing outside Shibuya Station stands nearly empty on March 29 as residents of greater Tokyo are encouraged to stay home. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

DAISHI ABE and SHOGO KODAMA, Nikkei staff writers

March 30, 2020 02:17 JST

TOKYO -- With Japan confronting a surge in the number of new coronavirus patients, 83% of respondents to a weekend Nikkei/TV Tokyo poll said they were staying home more than usual.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike recently urged the public to avoid going outside unnecessarily. Her calls appear to have struck a chord nationwide, with those staying home nearly doubling from 43% in February.