To prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases continue to rise, Japan’s government decided on April, 23 to declare a targeted state of emergency for the four prefectures of Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto where the Covid-19 epidemic is severe, the state of emergency has been issued three times. At the same time, several kinds of businesses have been asked to close their doors until May 11 in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases, including pachinko parlours, which were already facing economic difficulties. Pachinko parlours appear to be rejecting a request from the government to close.　According to local media, pachinko associations had previously requested an exception to continue working but the government denied the request.　In 2020, the year of Covid-19 outbreak, the number of active pachinko halls fell by 584 to 8,302, a 7 per cent decrease year-on-year.Facing the rising of pandemic, Japan has once again extended the state of emergency, which will be extended from May 11 to May 31. From May 12, Aichi and Fukuoka will apply for emergency situations. (2021/05/10)