Prognosis
Japan Moves Closer to Declaring Virus Emergency in Tokyo, Osaka
- Cases surge as start of Olympics draws near for Japan capital
- Department stores, karaoke parlors could be made to close
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Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wants to make a decision as soon as this week on whether to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka and other areas, and ramp up restrictions to contain a surge in coronavirus cases just three months before the start of the delayed Olympics.
Suga told reporters Wednesday he has received formal requests from Osaka and neighboring Hyogo prefecture for a declaration. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike indicated a request will be coming soon from the capital, where infections are spreading and she said the medical system is coming under strain in some areas.