Source: AFP ,
The long acclaimed longest-running animated TV series by
Guinness World Records has been hampered by the outbreak of the virus, with
animation dubbing halted to keep staff safe, broadcaster Fuji Television
Network said.
"We will halt broadcast of new episodes of 'Sazae-san'
for the time being from May 17 and instead air re-runs," it announced on
Sunday.
The network said upcoming broadcasts would be episodes from
two years ago, adding it would announce a date for the resumption of new
episodes as soon as possible.
It is the first time the network has been forced to air
re-runs since 1975, when the economic effects of an earlier oil crisis
lingered.
Japan has seen a comparatively small corona-virus outbreak
with nearly 15,800 infections and 621 deaths.
The country is under a state of emergency that was extended
last week until the end of May, though the government is considering lifting
the measures early in parts of the country.
Related slideshow: 60 must-watch animated movies released
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Production of the world's longest-running cartoon and a
mainstay of the Japanese weekend has been interrupted by the corona-virus,
forcing the broadcast of re-runs for the first time in decades.
"Sazae-san", which first aired in 1969, revolves
around the life of Mrs Sazae, a cheerful but klutzy full-time housewife who
lives with her parents, husband, son, brother and sister.
The 30-minute episodes aired Sunday nights are very popular,
and for many in Japan have come to denote the end of the weekend.
