By: Alex
As Japan’s COVID-19 situation deteriorates once more, the Japanese government has issued its third state of emergency declaration, placing Tokyo, Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, and Hyogo Prefecture (with its capital Kobe) under lockdown. With most commercial activities suspended, the public is also urged to avoid going out as much as possible. Netizens have shared photos showing how even the usually bustling streets of Tokyo’s Shibuya are now eerily empty, with only an occasional passerby in sight!
Tried loading up everything from the Empress' request... and the dystopian vibe is insane.? Shibuya Scramble Crossing at 8 PM. pic.twitter.com/k5h0CrIPCl
— Sasabasoyatsu (@sa2ba2oya2) April 24, 2021
▲“If you do what the Empress asks, it really gives off a dystopian feel. Shibuya Crossing at 8 PM.”
Looking at the comments, another netizen posted a photo from the same spot (in front of JR Shibuya Station), but from a slightly different angle. The image shows the massive screen on the glass facade as the only source of light on the entire street, with three people on the road looking up at the screen, creating striking silhouettes.
pic.twitter.com/1Q4Mt5Kt4e
— The person who graffiti in toilets (@mpyw) April 24, 2021
In truth, it’s obvious to any keen observer that neither of the above two images are real photos. The one with the “Empress” avatar (a jab at Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike) is digitally altered, while the other image of a giant screen displaying “Game Start” is actually a scene from a TV drama adapted from a manga.
That said, Tokyo under the state of emergency is indeed noticeably quieter. Netizens have uploaded real photos of Shinjuku’s underground shopping street, where nearly all the shops are closed and there appear to be fewer than 10 pedestrians in the passageways. Meanwhile, Sunshine City shopping mall in Ikebukuro is completely deserted. The eerie atmosphere at both locations has led some Twitter users to liken the shopping streets to classic scenes from the game “Devil Survivor.”
Shinjuku Subnade has turned into Devil Survivor. pic.twitter.com/P5xHKWRDit
— Takumi Yamada info (@TKM303) April 26, 2021
▲“Shinjuku Subnade underground mall has become ‘Devil Survivor.’”
Due to business closures following the state of emergency declaration, Sunshine City has returned to its Devil Survivor-like state. pic.twitter.com/fyuGvap3C3
— (@m_kikuchi_) April 26, 2021
▲“With businesses shut down after the state of emergency was declared, Sunshine City has once again entered ‘Devil Survivor’ mode.”
Source: Twitter