Previous video messages from the Mayor

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Residents of Yokohama,
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

On April 20, priority preventive measures were expandedto include Yokohama.
They will be in effect for 3 weeks until May 11.
In response, the city instructed public facilities to generally be closed by 8 p.m. and attendees of city-organized events will be capped at 5,000 people.

A fourth wave of the infections of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, is rapidly spreading across the country.
In Osaka especially, a third state of emergency is expected to go into effect and Tokyo is also considering a request to the government.

Last week, 512 new cases were identified in Yokohama, an increase of 132% over last week, presenting a striking increase in a week’s time.
The proportion of cases caused by variant strains is also increasing in the prefecture, and there is a possibility that the surge in cases seen in the Kansai region may also happen in Yokohama.
The city will use all available resources and make every effort to stop the spread of the infection.

To prepare for a rapid spread of infections, the city is especially focused on expanding available hospital beds.
We have also enhanced its coordinating organization, Y-CERT, as well as public health center systems.

Based on third wave measures, the city has secured 554 beds for positive cases in cooperation with local facilities, nearly twice as many as the number of patients hospitalized at the peak of infections during the third wave.
We have also secured a total 925 beds at 64 facilities for suspected COVID cases and recovering patients, and we will continue to ensure everyday medical care
stays available as readily as infectious disease treatment.
Under the coordination provided by Y-CERT,the city will assign beds flexibly in response to the state of the spread of infection.

Long term care facility vaccinations that began April 12 are thankfully progressing smoothly, and as of April 19, nearly 1,600 shots have been administered.
This Friday, individual notices will begin to go out for residents 80 or older so appointments can be made for group vaccinations next month and individual vaccinations scheduled to start in June.

The government has said it expects to procure enough vaccine for all eligible residents by the end of September.
As the head of the COVID-19 response headquarters of the Mayors Association of Designated Cities, I personally made a request to Minister Kono for a steady supply to continue vaccinations smoothly.
The city will continue to dedicate all efforts in preparing for vaccinations so that all residents who wish to get them can do so with peace of mind.

To all Yokohama residents:
I ask that each of you remain vigilant and observe basic measures to prevent infection.
A long public holiday will soon be upon us.
Please refrain from non-essential outings and travel, even during the day.
Day or night, please wear masks when drinking or dining.

To local businesses in Yokohama:
Please cooperate with national and prefectural policies for restaurants and the like to close by 8 p.m., observe restrictions on events, and so on.
Help achieve a 70% reduction of staff in offices via remote work, flexible working hours, staggered commuting and lunch hours, and other ways to help
reduce contact at work and while commuting.
Please ask that all customers wear masks, and refrain from operating karaoke equipment at restaurants.

Doing all we can now to bring down the number of cases coming in a fourth wave, while slowing the spread of infection, will help us to reclaim our peaceful daily lives and bustling city even a day sooner.
There is a light at the end of this tunnel.
Let’s help each other reach it together.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Business in Yokohama:
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the businesses cooperating with preventive measures.
Thanks to your efforts, we have distributed 53,000 stickers indicating businesses with measures in place to prevent infection.
Even now that the state of emergency has been lifted, restaurants have been cooperating by implementing shortened business hours.
It is the combined efforts of each business that has helped suppress infections in Yokohama.
I again offer my deepest thanks and appreciation.

Businesses have been experiencing all new hardships.
The business survey index (BSI) for local companies in all industries sank 44.5 points in January to March this year.
Those in the restaurant industry have said the situation is dire as more customers refrain from dinner services compared to lunch, while those in the hotel and lodging industry say many people are being more cautious about travel, which leads to occupancy rates that have remained low, and that there is no end in sight.

Yokohama wishes to provide support for local businesses and is committed to city-wide efforts to do so.
From institutional loans to boost cash flow, to lump sums for small businesses or shōtengai shops and subsidies to invest in measures to prevent infection, the city has supported over 52,000 businesses so far.
With the budget of 2.405 billion yen for fiscal 2021, covid measures for daily life and the economy will help local SMEs maintain business continuity.

In addition to online sales channels, the city will subsidize new business activities such as online negotiations.
For the shōtengai shops that support our local economy, the city will subsidize a cashless service that can help prevent infection: the distribution of shopping vouchers.
To support cultural activities and the arts, the city will also subsidize preventive measures and venue costs at performances and exhibitions.

The city is also preparing to promote local tourism activities and products as well as accommodations.
We will identify opportunities to provide robust support to the hotel and hospitality industries.
In coordination with local support organizations, a special consultation center has been established to assist small businesses.
Users can consult about maintaining business continuity, developing new markets, investing capital, and more, so please feel free to call.

To make Yokohama a bustling and vibrant city again, we need to restore the economy, which depends on the active operation of our local businesses.
The city will continue to dedicate our full efforts to enhancing preventive measures and achieving economic revitalization.
Let us work together to overcome this challenging time and take a new step towards the future of Yokohama.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Residents of Yokohama,
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

Starting last month, many prefectures have seen a resurgence in new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections.
Especially in Osaka and the Kansai region, new cases have risen rapidly, and there are concerns over the effects of variant strains that are more infectious than before.
New cases also continue to rise in Tokyo, which followed Osaka in imposing semi-emergency measures.
As you can see, new cases in Yokohama for the past week reached 200, an increase compared to March, and the same level as mid-February.
A wave of infections in Tokyo will surely reach neighboring Kanagawa as well.
With Yokohama’s volume of traffic to and from Tokyo, we must do all we can to prevent a new spread of infections.

The city added 112 personnel and extensively strengthened systems to enhance functionality of health care centers, provide vaccinations, and other medical services.
In anticipation of a 4th wave, the city is also reinforcing the medical care system.
In addition to the 554 beds for patients testing positive and the 198 for patients with fever or similar symptoms, 173 beds are for patients whose symptoms have improved,
for a total of 925 beds secured.
If there is another spread of infections, the city will enhance the Y-CERT system to coordinate hospitalizations and sustain the medical care system.

Starting April 12, vaccinations are being administered at long term care facilities.
Group vaccinations for elderly residents will begin at 19 venues starting May 19.
Residents can make appointments starting May 3.
Additionally, individual vaccinations are scheduled to start in June for elderly residents at around 1,070 local health care facilities.
Individual vaccination venues, appointment methods, and other information will be listed on the city website starting in mid-May.
Appointments are required in all cases.
Vaccine vouchers for making appointments will be mailed out to residents 80 or older starting April 23.
Afterwards, notices will be sent to the 75+, 70+, and 65+ age brackets in descending order of age.

I am once again requesting that all residents continue to observe basic infection prevention measures.
Please eat together with as few people as possible, and refrain from parties where the risk of infection is high.

We have gained a great deal of know-how from the response measures put in place up to now, and are continuing to make progress.
Our success so far is in thanks to the combined efforts of each resident observing preventive measures.
I believe we will also overcome this challenging time together.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Residents of Yokohama:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

On March 21, the state of emergency was lifted.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude to health care workers, welfare facilities, child care centers, schools, everyone affected by infection prevention measures, to our local businesses, and to all our residents for their efforts over the last two and half months.

Accordingly, Yokohama will gradually ease restrictions on the use of public facilities and for events.
Until April 21, public facilities may stay open until 9 p.m., and city-organized events be held with up to 10 thousand, and also end by 9 p.m.

Yokohama identified 294 new COVID-19 cases last week, a significant drop compared to mid January, when a record 2,723 cases were reported in one week.
Also, of those hospitalized, 4 (2%) have severe symptoms, 40 (16%) have moderate symptoms, and 205 (82%) have only mild or none at all. In all, hospitals have admitted 103 patients testing positive, using 18.7% of local available beds, providing both COVID-19 treatment and general care.

To restore our everyday lives and our bustling city, we must prevent a resurgence of cases at all costs.
To further enhance the health care system in Yokohama, the city has added beds for positive cases, from 500 to 550, and secured 200 for patients with fever or symptoms that may be a COVID-19 infection.
Yokohama will cooperate with national monitoring, and conduct rigorous screening for variant virus strains.

Life-saving vaccinations will finally begin at long term care facilities starting the week of April 12.
Group vaccinations, also, are scheduled to begin starting the week of May 17.
Vaccine vouchers will be sent out in late April, starting with residents 80 years of age or older first. To help residents get vaccinated smoothly and safely, simulations to practice the process will be carried out at group vaccination venues in all 18 wards, and the city will devote all its efforts in preparations.

Businesses have faced new hardships due to the request to shorten hours being in place for so long.
Through financing schemes, lump payments to shopping districts and small businesses, and subsidies for implementing preventive measures, Yokohama has provided support to 50,000+ businesses.
The city will coordinate with local support agencies and continue to do its utmost to support those facing difficulty during this pandemic.

We ask residents to remain vigilant and continue to observe basic measures to prevent infection.
Refrain from nonessential and non-urgent outings, especially after 9 p.m.
Please eat together with as few people as possible, refrain from travel or events with high infection risk, and enjoy cherry blossoms without parties.
Business owners, we ask for cooperation with 9 p.m. restaurant closure, event rules, 70% in-office staff reduction, and other guidelines.

Yesterday, the budget for fiscal 2021 was approved.
Yokohama will devote all efforts to taking the city another leap forward, further developing current initiatives, and prioritizing strengthening preventive measures and achieving economic revitalization.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Residents of Yokohama,
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.
Yesterday, the national government declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures, including Kanagawa.

Accordingly, we will adjust hours for public facilities in Yokohama, which will generally close at 8 p.m., starting January 12.
Also, we will assess whether to hold events organized by the city based on the standards set by the national government.

Schools will not be temporarily closed, but preventive measures rigorously implemented, and club activities and other events will be assessed for the risk of spreading infection.
The coming-of-age ceremonies scheduled for January 11 will be held with strict preventive measures in place, and video of the events will be streamed online.

Over the past week, from January 1 through 7, new cases of COVID-19 in Yokohama reached 1,173,
continuing to be identified at a high rate.
Of those hospitalized, 29 people or 5% have severe symptoms, while 83 or 14% experience moderate symptoms.
The remaining 81%, 476 people, show mild or no symptoms.
Also, out of the 500 beds for moderate to severe cases, 179 are in use, for an occupancy rate of 35.8%.
Our local medical institutions are working closely with each other, and the Infectious Disease & Medical Coordination Headquarters,
“Y-CERT”, is working to ensure beds are available.
Their cooperation is now helping sustain the medical care system and provide both COVID-19 treatment and general care.

However, healthcare workers are working in a difficult situation.
If the infection continues to spread as it has, the burden will continue to grow for our healthcare workers
already working so hard against this virus.
In order to preserve the medical care system going forward, it is important that each of us remain vigilant and observe preventive measures to prevent the outbreak of new cases.

I once again call on all our residents:
Aside from trips necessary to daily life, Please refrain from nonessential and non-urgent outings,
especially after 8 p.m.
Avoid situations where the risk of infection is high, such as social meals with drinking, long meals with many people, conversations without masks, living with others in small spaces, and entering or leaving breakrooms, smoking areas, and so on, and use remote working and staggered commuting.
Please also continue to observe basic preventive measures, such as avoiding the “three C’s”, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and ventilating rooms.
We ask that those taking part in the coming-of-age ceremonies follow the preventive measures at the venues and refrain from social dining or parties before or after the event.

I also call on our local businesses:
Please cooperate with national and prefectural policies, such as bars and restaurants closing at 8 p.m. and restrictions on events.
Please refer to industry guidelines and ensure preventive measures are thoroughly implements.
Help achieve a 70% reduction of staff in offices with remote work, flexible working hours, staggered commuting, and explore ways to help reduce contact at work and during travel.

Yokohama will continue to work with national and prefectural governments and medical institutions
to protect the lives and livelihoods of all our residents.
Under the state of emergency declaration, we will organize a special system for doctors stationed in Y-CERT.
We will implement the supplementary budget without fail, and expand the teams set up to provide vaccinations once it is available.

Join our efforts and help us overcome this difficult situation together, to achieve the lifting of the state of emergencyand the return to our everyday lives as soon as possible.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

Residents of Yokohama:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

COVID-19 continues to spread.

Within the last week (December 17 to 23), the number of new cases has reached 998, an increase from 814 cases from the previous week, and as the spread of infection trends upward, the city is working to implement infectious disease measures with a strong sense of urgency.

As of December 23, there were 421 people in the hospital. 338 of those people show mild or no symptoms, or 80% of the total, while 20 patients, about 5%, are experiencing severe symptoms. Of the 500 beds secured for patients with moderate to severe symptoms, 137 hospital beds are in use, comprising a 27.4% occupancy.

Medical institutions are coordinating and cooperating to maintain a robust medical care system, providing emergency care to patients in need, as well as balancing treatment for patients testing postive with general medical care.
However, medical resources are not limitless. As the number of people requiring hospitalization continues to rise, we must remain vigilant. With a strong sense of responsibility, our medical care personnel have carried out their duties under extremely stressful conditions for an extended period of time, and it remains for us to do all in our power to prevent the number of new cases from rising further.

The actions of every one of us takes during this holiday and New Year season will help prevent a collapse of the medical care system and protect the lives of the people in our city.

I once again call on all our residents:
・ In addition to preventive measures such as wearing masks and avoiding the “3 C’s,” refrain from going out as much as possible to reduce the chance of contact with others, and also refrain from attending large gatherings such as year’s-end or new year’s parties.
・ Those making their first visit to a shrine for the new year are asked to not insist on visiting during the first three days, but instead observe a staggered visiting schedule, and give careful consideration to visiting relatives’ homes where you may come in contact with elderly people.

Yokohama has mobilized a special team of Infectious Disease & Medical Coordination Headquarters “Y-CERT” personnel for the year-end and New Year period to ensure beds for recovery as well as general medical care remain readily available. For fevers or other symtoms unrelated to COVID-19, holiday emergency clinics are operating in each ward to provide medical examinations at any time. The Yokohama City COVID-19 Call Center will run 24 hours a day, and consultation and testing services will be rigorously prepared. Yokohama will continue to work together with the national and prefectural governments as well as with local medical care institutions to protect the lives of our residents.

I ask our residents to fully observe precautionary measures, and wish that everyone enjoys a quiet and peaceful holiday season.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To residents and businesses in Yokohama,
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

Since the beginning of November, the number of COVID-19 cases in Yokohama has surged rapidly. In the past week, the city has seen an average increase of 88.3 cases per day, and we are bracing ourselves for a continued increase of cases.

Currently, there are 64 patients hospitalized with severe and moderate symptoms. Although only 23% of the 500 hospital beds in the city secured for severe and moderate symptom patients are filled, we must remain vigilant.

In cooperation with Kanagawa Prefecture, the City of Yokohama is working to ensure that the healthcare system is adequately prepared for COVID-19 patients, especially those with severe symptoms, while also ensuring that our communities continue to receive the everyday healthcare they need.

In order to advance our initiatives to simultaneously prevent the spread of the virus and revitalize the economy, the city has compiled an economic stimulus worth 3.1 billion yen to be used for 29 projects as the fourth set of measures to support daily life and the economy. The stimulus includes measures that are crucial now more than ever, and we will continue to protect the lives of the city’s residents while also preserving the quality of their daily lives.

As part of our initiatives to protect residents and the healthcare system, in preparation for the anticipated increase in cases that will occur in the winter months, we will strengthen the healthcare and testing system at the holiday and night time emergency clinics. Furthermore, our infectious disease call center and the COVID-19 consultation center will be combined in order to provide 24 hour service, and the number of lines will double for a total of 80. In order to rapidly identify and prevent clusters, the Yokohama Active Epidemiological Investigation Team (Y-AEIT) that conducts on-site testing and offers guidance to prevent the spread of the virus will expand its personnel and enhance its testing system.

As part of our initiatives to protect the economy and livelihoods of residents, we will add 1,000 additional subsidies for small and medium-sized businesses to invest in equipment to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, we will add new subsidies for cultural and arts performances to implement prevention measures.

As a source of support for single-parent households who are struggling financially, the city will provide a temporary special benefit of 100,000 yen to single-parent households that are not receiving a child-rearing allowance in cases where the household’s income has greatly decreased due to the pandemic.

As winter arrives, we ask that everyone ventilates and manages the humidity in their spaces in order to avoid the air getting too dry, in addition to wearing masks and avoiding the “3 Cs.” With the year-end holidays, many people have plans to gather with family or friends. When meeting with family or friends, please make sure to limit the number of people and the length of your gathering in order to avoid the risk of spreading the virus.

The cooperation of each individual citizen and business is vital in order to get the explosive surge of new cases under control. Help our city overcome this challenging time together.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To residents and businesses in Yokohama,
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

The effects of the new coronovirus disease have brought considerable changes to our daily lifestyle. The number of attendees at large-scale events will continue to be restricted through September. As the future remains clouded, it has been difficult to go out to eat with friends and family, or to visit relatives or travel with peace of mind. Despite that, I wish to express my sincere gratititude to all residents for their help in preventing the spread of infection.

The city has compiled an economic stimulus worth 16.9 billion yen for 66 projects as part of its third set of measures to support daily life and the economy.

We will work to further accelerate the dual efforts of strengthening preventive measures and the economy and to build a city adapted to the “new lifestyle.”

The support measures are focused on the pillars of protecting lives of residents and medical care systems, preserving the city’s economy and residents’ daily lives, and creating a new normal lifestyle.

To protect residents and the medical care system, we will provide funding to medical institutions so that more residents can receive PCR tests, and improve testing and consultation systems.

Also, we will use the donations we have received so far to support our medical care workers. To preserve the city’s economy and residents’ daily lives, we will accept 4,000 more subsidy applications for small and medium businesses to invest in preventive measures in addition to the 6,000 received over 3 days in August.

We will also support convention and event organizers to revitalize the city’s economy, as well as
provide robust support to residents facing difficulties due to workplace closures or other conditions.

To promote a new normal lifestyle of coexistence with the new coronavirus disease, in this fiscal year, public schools will implement “one device per person,” and practical seminars will be held to encourage local “chonaikai” neighborhood groups to communicate and meet via ICT.

While September is approaching, we are still experiencing extreme heat.
Please be sure to focus not only on infection prevention, but also make appropriate efforts to avoid heatstroke. We ask especially for your cooperation to stay aware of the people around you, and help prevent the spread of infection to the elderly.

Currently, the infection is spreading in people across all generations. We ask that people of all ages exercise due caution, and continue to wear masks and wash hands frequently, avoid “3 C’s” situations, ensure rooms are ventilated, and take care to prevent the spread of infection.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To residents of Yokohama.
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all residents for their cooperation in helping prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Starting June 1, with preventive measures in place, public facilities have reopened in stages, and the international contemporary art exhibition “Yokohama Triennale 2020” was among the first in the world to open. Sports games, concerts, and other events are also gradually resuming in the city.

While new cases continue to be reported nationwide, Yokohama’s new cases totaled 127 last week. Of the 67 patients currently hospitalized, 51 show mild or no symptoms, and make up 76% of the total. There are 3 patients with severe symptoms, and 13 with moderate symptoms. Though the number of cases continues to rise, the city maintains sufficient capacity, with 500 treatment beds for moderate or severe cases, and 2,640 beds secured in the prefecture for milder cases.

Recently, we have seen a trend of new cases among people in their 40s and older with more household and workplace infections. Also, many infections have been thought to spread when masks were removed to talk at meals. When dining with others, please choose restaurants with preventive measures, and help prevent infection via droplets by refraining from dining in large groups or raising your voice.

This August, I am sure many people will go out or travel. Once again, we ask everyone to take precautions against infection: wash your hands often, wear a mask, and avoid the “three C’s.”

I urge you to stay vigilant against infection as you go about your daily lives.

Response measures to COVID-19 are expected to continue for some time.

In addition to enhancing our PCR testing capacity, the City of Yokohama is providing subsidies for businesses to invest in preventive measures.

We will continue to work with the national and prefectural governments and medical institutions to ensure preventive measures are in place. We will also support local businesses to revitalize socio-economic activity and protect the livelihoods of our residents.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To residents and businesses of Yokohama:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

On May 25, the “Declaration of a State of Emergency in response to the Novel Coronavirus Disease” was lifted for the last five prefectures, including Kanagawa.

This was achieved thanks to all of you, and your cooperation over seven weeks through efforts to limit your travel, suspend or shorten business hours, and help prevent the spread of infection. You have my heartfelt gratitude.

Once preventive measures are fully in place, public facilities will reopen, services will resume, and city-sponsored events will be held as soon as feasible, starting June 1st.

Municipal schools will also reopen in stages starting June 1 with “staggered attendance” and “reduced school hours.” Schools will operate differently from normal, with a shorter summer vacation and other changes. The city will consider students’ needs first, and provide our full support.

The city is preparing further measures to present at the City Council meeting in June for supporting daily life and the economy to help counteract a second wave of infections. They will be based on the second national supplementary budget, and we will examine reallocating budgets for projects related to the Tokyo 2020 Games to these measures.

If the economic wheels stop turning, our residents’ daily lives will be affected. Yokohama will put socio-economic recovery back on track as soon as possible and develop a new normal for residents.

In response to Kanagawa Prefecture’s policy to rescind closure requests for all businesses, Yokohama will help establish measures for public awareness and to prevent infection. Furthermore, in anticipation of a second wave, we will maintain full health care system readiness.

The City of Yokohama asks all residents to continue to practice a “new lifestyle” to prevent the spread of infection.

We will overcome this challenging time together.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To businesses in the shōtengai shopping districts:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

The City of Yokohama is moving ahead on “new measures to mitigate the effects of the new coronavirus on daily life and the economy” with its largest ever supplementary budget of 574.3 billion yen.
In order to support continuity for businesses, the city has prepared a one-time stimulus, and businesses will have the choice of how to use it based on their needs, such as on infection prevention measures or for subsidizing their affiliated locations. Each shōtengai shopping district will receive 100,000 yen for each of its member stores and shops.
In addition to covering the costs of purchasing sanitation products, like masks and disinfecting alcohol, or implementing take-out and delivery, business are welcome to also use it for a range of purposes, such as shop upkeep, selling vouchers, or arranging events and sales for when the spread of infection has abated.
Applications will open on May 22, and the payments will be distributed starting in June.

The number of patients testing positive, as well as those with unknown routes of infection, have both declined since the beginning of May.
The efforts to prevent the spread of infection by businesses in the shōtengai shopping districts, as well as their neighboring communities, are steadily taking shape. I am sincerely grateful for your cooperation.

The shōtengai shopping districts at the core of local communities are a great source of support for the daily lives of our residents.
For its part, the City of Yokohama will continue to do all it can to support them as well.
We will overcome this challenging time together.
Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To all those involved in the cultural and artistic sectors:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

The City of Yokohama is moving ahead on “new measures to mitigate the effects of the new coronavirus on daily life and the economy” with its largest ever supplementary budget of 574.3 billion yen.

Preventing the spread of new coronavirus infections has taken awaymany opportunities for cultural activities and artistic expression.To support the artistic and cultural sectors so impacted by this crisis, urgent support measures are being prepared to help them resume their work and business.

First, a temporary consultation service for culture and the arts, called “YES!”, will be established on May 20.
Tax accountants, various experts, and experienced consultants will offer free online consultation. The various hurdles to resuming activity will be addressed attentively, and users connected with Yokohama’s unique range of support systems, as well as national and regional programs.

In addition, the city will provide grants of up to 300,000 yen to professionals in the cultural and artistic sectors to realize projects achievable under the current conditions, such preparations for resuming performances and activities or the creation of new works of art. Applications are welcome starting May 28.

The city will also provide grants of up to 700,000 yen for the distribution of video content of music and other performances in empty venues.

Featuring the work of top artists connected to Yokohama, the “Arts Festival Virtual Edition” will be held to deliver powerful images using the latest technology.

As we face these difficult circumstances, we appreciate culture and the arts and their crucial power to provide comfort,
give us courage, and inspire us.

Yokohama is a creative city of art and culture with many active artists. We will do our best to support the artists who have shaped the city’s cultural and artistic fields, and to help them enrich our lives again as soon as possible.

Help us overcome this challenge together.

Thank you.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To the professionals of welfare facilities and social services:
This is Mayor Hayashi Fumiko.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the efforts of those in the social services supporting the well-being and daily lives of many residents amid the anxiety and uncertainty brought on by the new coronavirus.
The state of emergency declaration has been extended until May 31. Despite these circumstances, professionals in welfare facilities and organizations are demonstrating great care to prevent the spread of infection as they continue to provide support for the elderly, long-term care, people with disabilities, childcare, and education.
The results of their direct efforts allow Yokohama’s welfare facilities to continue providing their services and make it possible for so many who need help, as well as their families, to go about their lives much as before.
The City of Yokohama has compiled a supplementary budget proposal of 574.3 billion yen to mitigate the impact of the new coronavirus disease on daily life and the economy.
To prevent the spread of infection, we are distributing masks and disinfecting alcohol to each facility and organization. We are also subsidizing any renovation costs needed to create separate rooms in facilities for children and the elderly or purchase costs of goods used to prevent infection.
We have been receiving donations of masks and other goods from businesses, organizations, and residents in Yokohama who wish to help support local medical and welfare facilities.
Starting May 1, Yokohama also began accepting monetary donations to further improve countermeasures to the new coronavirus disease.
Along with the warm feelings of support for Yokohama, we will deliver masks and personal protective equipment to those working on the frontlines in medical care and welfare.
We will continue to employ all our resources to work to stop the spread of the new coronavirus and help our residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible.
Smiles are precious at times like this. Your efforts will help bring smiles to people’s daily lives. We continue to count on your invaluable support.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To Residents of Yokohama:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

One month has passed since the “Declaration of a State of Emergency” was issued, and with the cooperation of the people of our city, the City of Yokohama has worked diligently to prevent the spread of infection.
The number of infected patients in Yokohama reached a peak exceeding 100 on the week of April 6, but has since dropped to about 75 cases per week. Among those cases, patients with unknown routes of infection have also consistently trended downward.
Currently, as of May 7, 57 patients were diagnosed with severe or moderate cases. Yokohama’s medical care system is well-prepared, with 500 beds available for patients with severe or moderate symptoms.
During the long Golden Week holiday, we were able to achieve an 80% decrease in people in the Yokohama Station area. The individual actions of all our residents are yielding results. We thank you and ask for your continued cooperation.
In accordance with the extension of the state of emergency, we have extended the temporary closures of all public schools, cancelled or postponed city-organized events, and closed public facilities until May 31.
I believe that students and guardians are especially feeling a great deal of anxiety with schools closed. Yokohama will continue to work with the Board of Education to support children throughout the city: streaming educational content, caring for children whose parents cannot work at home, opening schoolyards for exercise, and other measures.
Also, regarding the Special Cash Payments of 100,000 yen per person, we are preparing to accept mail-in applications starting in late May. Online applications using the Individual Number Card will be accepted starting May 12, with bank transfers expected to begin in late May. As more details become available, we will share information on the city website and elsewhere.
The national government will hear from experts on May 14 and 21, and has suggested that depending on the situation it may decide to lift the state of emergency before the end of May. For its part, the City of Yokohama will continue to do our utmost to restore our economy and help residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible.
This is a crucial moment. The actions we all take will protect not only ourselves, but also our loved ones and the entire city.
Help us to overcome this challenge together.
Thank you and stay safe.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To residents of Yokohama:
This is HAYASHI Fumiko.

To mitigate the impact of the new coronavirus disease on daily life and the economy, the City of Yokohama has compiled the largest ever supplementary budget proposal of 574.3 billion yen.

For the small and medium-sized companies that make up 99.5% of Yokohama’s local businesses, the city has established a new financing menu to help them stabilize.

Specifically, the new “City of Yokohama New Coronavirus Disease Relief Fund” (provisional translation) will provide unsecured loans with no interest for three years, a deferred period of 60 months, and a maximum of 30 million yen, and a line of credit significantly expanded from 140 billion to 500 billion yen.

If the limit exceeds 30 million yen, the city subsidizes the full warranty fee and a selection of low-interest rate loans is made available. Feel free to make use of this system to finance your business.

In addition, as extra support for small businesses that receive loans of less than 5 million yen, the city will provide 100,000 yen. This amount will also be offered to recently established start-ups.

I hope these new financing opportunities will help you to make it through this challenging time.

Consultations at financial institutions are available starting May 1. Once the budget is approved, we will move towards implementation as soon as possible.

To all business supporting the daily lives of our residents, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. The City of Yokohama will continue to work to contain the spread of the new coronavirus as soon as possible, reclaim a healthy economy, and do everything in our power to help local businesses overcome this crisis.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To all health care personnel:
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

To mitigate the impact of the new coronavirus disease on daily life and the economy, the City of Yokohama has compiled the largest ever supplementary budget proposal of 574.3 billion yen.

As one measure to support health care providers, the city will provide grants for infection control measures to both medical facilities treating patients with moderate to severe cases, as well as those treating suspected cases, with up to five million yen and two million yen, respectively.

In addition, for patients who test positive and require hospitalization, the city will pay 30,000 yen per day, and for those suspected to be infected, 28,500 yen per patient, on top of the regular fees for medical care.

The city will also distribute masks and other protective equipment to ensure health care personnel can continue their work.

Regarding PCR testing, with the cooperation of the Yokohama Medical Association, simplified sample collection will be conducted at about 10 locations around the city to respond to increased testing. Accordingly, the Yokohama City Institute of Public Health’s testing system will also be strengthened.

We have been receiving generous donations from many businesses, organizations, and residents in Yokohama, such as shipments of masks, to help support local medical and welfare facilities. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Starting May 1st, the city began accepting donations to enhance the new coronavirus infection countermeasures.

The warm feelings of generous support for Yokohama will be delivered alongside masks and personal protective equipment to connect to the efforts of those working on the frontlines in medical care and welfare.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those health care personnel at the forefront of the fight against the new coronavirus who work tirelessly to save lives every day.

We will continue to apply all our resources and do our best to stop the spread of the new coronavirus and help people return to their daily lives.

Thank you for your continued support.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To citizens of Yokohama

This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

With new coronavirus continuing to spread, I am sure that many of you are very worried.
The number of consultation requests received by the city has also increased, making it difficult to get through to the call centers.
We sincerely regret any difficulty you may encounter while trying to call to get consultation.
To help assist more residents with concerns, the City of Yokohama has added new lines for both the Yokohama Novel Coronavirus Call Center and the Novel Coronavirus Patient or High-Risk Person Call Center.

The Novel Coronavirus Call Center provides general guidance on the signs of infection, how to prevent it, and how to respond when symptoms appear.
Residents can call 045-550-5530 to contact the center.
Operators are standing by from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, including weekends and public holidays.

Guidance is also available regarding the state of emergency declaration, such as the requests to avoid all non-essential outings and travel, and for the temporary closure of some businesses.
Inquiries can be made to 045-264-8031 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you suspect you may have the new coronavirus, please contact the Novel Coronavirus Patient or High-Risk Person Call Center.
The number to call is 045-664-7761.
Consultation is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, including weekends and public holidays.
Operators will connect callers with cases of potential infection to the nearest available medical institution equipped to conduct testing. After 9 p.m., residents can contact the help desk at their local ward office.

The City of Yokohama will do its utmost to protect the lives and livelihoods of all our residents.
Please feel free to contact the call centers if you have any concerns.

https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/koho-kocho/koho/topics/mayor-cc.html

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To citizens of Yokohama,
This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all residents for helping stop the spread of coronavirus with their cooperation in limiting their daily outings and observing guidelines to prevent infection.

While many carriers of the coronavirus may only present mild symptoms or be completely asymptomatic, the elderly or those with underlying medical issues are more likely to experience severe symptoms. Even some younger people have been shown to develop serious illnesses, however, so we must continue to be vigilant.

The month of May approaches with the annual extra-long holiday. Normally, this is a time for many people take this vacation time to visit their family’s homes or travel for sightseeing.
I know many residents may be feeling stressed by not being able to freely go out, attend classes while schools are temporarily closed, or take part in cancelled events.
Unfortunately, however, the infection is still spreading. Person-to-person contact has not yet been reduced by 80 percent. Your efforts can help protect yourself, the lives of your loved ones, and everyone in our city.

We ask for continued cooperation from all residents in refraining from longer trips, as well as non-essential outings in your neighborhood, to help reduce the chance of person-to-person contact by 80 percent. When you must leave your home, take care to avoid any situations involving “closed spaces,” “crowded places,” or “close-contact settings.” And, as always, please make sure to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, and to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

With the combined efforts of all our residents, we can bring the spread of infection under control.
Help us overcome this challenge together.

https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/koho-kocho/koho/topics/mayor-gw.html

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To businesses in Yokohama,

This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

In response to the declaration of a state of emergency, the Kanagawa Prefecture has requested closures for businesses in six different industries, including commercial establishments.
We are asking business owners for their understanding and cooperation in helping stop the spread of coronavirus infection by reducing the chance that people come into close contact by 80%.

I have been speaking directly to local businesses and listening to their concerns about sharp drops in sales, even while bearing the burden of rent and other fixed costs, as well as their worries about the future. I am deeply conscious of just how severe the current situation seems. The lights must not go out in this city. Especially now, it is critical that Yokohama provide the utmost support to its local businesses.
In order to protect the lives and livelihoods of all its residents, the City of Yokohama will not only work to prevent the spread of infections, but also accelerate efforts to maintain employment, keep businesses functioning, and provide support for daily life.

As of April 15, our Special Business Consultation Desk had assisted 3,461 cases, and institutional loans of full subsidies to cover credit guarantee fees and other costs had already exceeded 42 billion yen, an increase of about 35% compared to the previous week. We are currently considering even more in-depth relief measures using temporary subsidies from the national government and other sources. Proposals to the early May meeting of the City Council for the largest-ever supplementary budget are also being rapidly prepared.
As President of the Mayors Association of Designated Cities, I will also appeal to the national government for support for maintaining employment and operations for businesses that have cooperated with closure requests.

The City of Yokohama will do everything in our power to support affected businesses as we work to stop the spread of the new coronavirus and restore economic activity as soon as possible.

https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/koho-kocho/koho/topics/mayor-jigyosha.html

You can also watch the video message with English subtitles below.

To citizens of Yokohama,

This is Mayor HAYASHI Fumiko.

As you may be aware, the Government of Japan has declared a State of Emergency.
I am sure that many of you feel concerned as we enter this uncharted territory.
However, I believe that if we all work together, we will be able to suppress the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Once again, I will share what we can do to make this happen.

First, do not to leave your home except for essential needs. When you must go out, be careful to avoid any situations that combine any of the three C’s of “closed spaces, “crowded places,” and “close-contact settings.”

Additionally, please make sure to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, and cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

Regarding medical facilities, we are moving forward with the preparation of approximately 500 beds for patients who test positive for the virus and require hospital care. Please remain calm. After the Municipal Citizen’s Hospital relocates, the current building will be used to house an estimated 530 patients with light or no symptoms as they recover.

Yokohama will also join efforts to realize a “Kanagawa Model” that provides care for patients with moderate infection symptoms.

The city’s water, sewage works, garbage collection, subways and buses, and other lifelines will continue to provide reliable services.

Also, we are not setting any limitations on leaving home to buy essential goods, food, or medicine. Please exercise calm judgment, and we ask for your cooperation to only buy what you need and not hoard items.

Based on the national government’s emergency stimulus package, Yokohama will develop an early supplementary budget and work to provide the utmost support for small businesses and enterprises facing difficulties.

Taking the necessary precautions will protect you, your loved ones, and the city as a whole.
Once again, we sincerely ask for your cooperation.

HAYASHI Fumiko, Mayor of the City of Yokohama

https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/koho-kocho/koho/topics/mayor-message.html