The rain kept on pouring, but the city’s mood was on a new, brighter track. On Friday (Oct 1), Tokyo let bars, cafes and restaurants serve alcohol again after the government finally ended its latest COVID‑19 emergency. It’s the first step toward a return to normal life since the town’s lockdowns took hold nearly six months ago.
Minoru Sasaki, president of the liquor wholesaler Sasaki Co., has seen it all. He brings a smile to his face as he smirks, “I’m really happy!” He explained that about 20 % of his clients had to shut down during the pandemic. “We’re rough‑housing the anxiety of a shrinking livelihood, but now you can hit the shelves again,” he said.
b“The staff brought back their own “vent” from the lockdown, and they’re ready to get back to work. They’re already planning on ditching the weight they gained and start another decade of fitness.”
Even though the situation hasn’t improved dramatically, the government is keen to let people resume their normal way of life slowly. We say—drink responsibly, keep your pipes tight, and above all, spread a cheerful smile on the meter for a tasty life.
Beer orders jump
Japan’s Boozy Bounce‑Back: A Tale of Taps, Tables, and Tiny Air‑Quality Sensors
Just before Friday, the Japanese beer market racked up an astonishing 230 percent surge in orders for kegs and bottles—an explosive jump compared to the prior week. While the domestic beer giants are riding that wave, Kirin Holdings and Sapporo Holdings are reopening their taverns, but only after adding a few extra layers of safety: plastic partitions you’d swear were from a sci‑fi movie, fancy air‑quality meters that fetch data on every breath, and an online‑style “guest limit” per party.
From Long‑Haul Closure to Sudden Resurgence
- Shigeko Yukawa (57, Tokyo restaurant manager) reveals the stress of a 70‑day shutter. “We tried focusing on food alone,” she says, sighing, “but if you take the booze out of the mix, the customer count plummets.” The bartender’s rule of thumb? The faithful must be served both tasty plates and liquid comforts.
City‑wide Chill, Safer Night Chill
While vaccinations topped 60 % in Japan—outpacing the U.S.—public health buffs remain on alert. Professor Koji Wada warns, “After being shackled for so long, the urge to venture out could lead to a quick bounce back—usually within three weeks if there’s no vaccine rollout. With more people vaccinated now, we must keep a watchful eye, especially as October and November loom.”
Armed with “Booze‑Timeout” Polices
- Alcohol service now ends at 8 pm.
- Restaurants are asked to close by 9 pm.
- Future tweaks may hinge on a “vaccination or test check” system—exact details are still hazy.
The Never‑Ending ‘Pressure Point’ Dilemma
Japan’s pandemic playbook favors social shame and polite requests over draconian lockdowns. Yet that approach isn’t universally embraced. Global‑Dining Inc. (the operator behind 43 eateries, one of them inspired by “Kill Bill”) has lobbed a legal challenge at Tokyo authorities for flexing operating hours and slicing alcohol sales. Chief Executive Kozo Hasegawa comes down on the head: “We’re not pulling any special strings here—aside from the mall constraints,” he says, hinting the fight is less about policy and more about the espresso grind of everyday business.
All told, Japan’s dive back into post‑pandemic normalcy is a mix of celebratory hops, cautious steps, and a touch of mild corporate skirmish. The future will reveal whether the nation can taste a standard evening without the lingering echo of a lockdown scream—just a smooth, chill sip of communal renewal.
