Tokyo Seeks New State of Emergency as Virus Cases Rise By Bloomberg – Investing.com

Tokyo Seeks New State of Emergency as Virus Cases Rise By Bloomberg – Investing.com

© Reuters. Tokyo Seeks New State of Emergency as Virus Cases Rise

(Bloomberg) -- Tokyo is seeking to reimpose a state of emergency, with the Japanese government expected to announce details Friday, as virus cases surge three months before the capital is set to host the delayed Olympic Games.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike made the request to the central government Thursday, she told reporters, adding the extent of restrictions to be introduced was still under discussion. The government will hold a meeting of its virus task force Friday, the Asahi newspaper said, at which the measures are likely to be announced.

The western city of Osaka, which has been hit with a record rise in cases, has also asked for the restrictions, while media reports said neighboring Hyogo and Kyoto may also be covered by the new declaration. The emergency is likely to be in place from April 25 to May 11, covering the “Golden Week” string of national holidays, Jiji Press said.

While Japan has so far succeeded in keeping coronavirus infections and deaths at far lower levels than those seen in much of Europe and the U.S., its vaccine program has yet to kick into high gear, meaning restricting activities is the