With the number of novel coronavirus infections rising in Tokyo and other major urban centers, some concerned residents are fleeing to nearby prefectures where the number of cases is minimal.
But that is creating worry and wariness among local officials and residents, who are less than pleased that their small towns suddenly have a lot of outside visitors from the capital and other virus-hit areas.
In Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, just over an hour from Tokyo station by bullet train, television and social media footage over the past week or so of cars in town with Tokyo-area license plates has prompted concern about an increased risk of infections from visitors staying in the town’s villas.
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