NHK


 

Japan's government will extend its coronavirus state of emergency on Tuesday for another month for Tokyo, Osaka and eight other prefectures.
On Monday night, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide told reporters that coronavirus cases are declining, but that the country still needs to remain vigilant.

The current state of emergency covers 11 prefectures and is set to expire on February 7.

The government will extend it everywhere except Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, in light of its lower case numbers and the improving healthcare situation.

It plans to keep the measure in place for the 10 other prefectures until March 7. But government officials say they will be ready to lift it earlier if they confirm the situation has improved in those regions.

After hearing opinions from an advisory panel over the plan, the government intends to discuss it at a Diet committee meeting, with Prime Minister in attendance.

A formal decision is expected to be made later at a government taskforce meeting.

Suga will then hold a news conference to explain the reasons for the extension. He is expected to ask restaurants and bars to shorten their business hours and to urge the public to refrain from non-essential outings.