AnimeJapan 2020 officially canceled after the Japanese government called for organizers to cancel big events due to the coronavirus outbreak. The increasing number of confirmed cases in Japan prompted this call from the Japanese government.

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe spoke at a meeting of a government task force on the viral outbreak on Feb. 26, 2020. Abe’s appeal reads:

AnimeJapan 2020 officially canceled

The organizers of AnimeJapan 2020 posted an official announcement on their website, with a plea for understanding. The announcement reads:

Tickets will be refunded starting March 6, 2020.

In the face of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the call from the Japanese government to cancel large-scale events made on February 26, but most of all thinking about the health and safety of our visitors and everyone involved in the event we have decided to cancel AnimeJapan 2020 and Family Anime Festa 2020.

We are extremely sorry towards all the anime fans looking forward to this year’s edition and all involved parties who were preparing for the event, however, the conclusion has been made to prevent the further spread of the infection.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

February 27, 2020 AnimeJapan Organization

Coronavirus update in Japan

Here is an updated World Health ORganization status report regarding the coronavirus:

SITUATION IN NUMBERS total and new cases in the last 24 hours

Globally 81 109 confirmed (871 new)

China 78 191 confirmed (412 new) 2718 deaths (52 new)

Outside of China 2918 confirmed (459 new) 37 countries (4 new) 43 deaths (9 new)

And here is the status in Japan:

164 confirmed (7 new) Total cases with travel history to China 28 Likely exposed from outside Japan and China 8 (1 new) Total cases likely exposed in Japan 116 (6 new) Total cases with the site of transmission under investigation 12 Total deaths 1

NOTE: For more Anime-related stories, readers may route here. Image credits: AnimeJapan 2020 Official Twitter account

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