TOKYO -- The Ameyoko shopping street in the Ueno district of the capital's Taito Ward was crowded on Dec. 28 with customers wearing masks seeking ingredients and other items for the New Year holiday period, but the number of shoppers was well down on regular years due to fears over the coronavirus's omicron variant.

       According to the Ameyoko shopping street association, the number of visitors last year was around 1 million over five days from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31 -- about half the figure in years when there were many customers -- due to the spread of the coronavirus.

       Since the beginning of December, the number of people on weekends had recovered to about 70% of the figure two years ago, but it is apparently slowing down as the year-end draws near due to the effects of the omicron strain.

       Hayato Chiba, vice-chairman of the association, said, "It's wishful thinking, but we hope that 1.5 million people will come here during the five days this year."

       (Japanese original by Masahiro Ogawa, Photo Group)

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