As the number of new Covid-19 infections continues to drop, the government is considering lifting the current quasi-state of emergency in 18 prefectures including Tokyo. The emergency measures, which were extended for an additional two weeks at the beginning of March, are set to expire on Monday March 21.
The Japan Times reports that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could make an announcement as early as this Wednesday if the government decides to fully remove the quasi-emergency on March 21.
As of Thursday March 10, the number of new Covid-19 infections have fallen in 15 of the 18 prefectures under quasi-emergency measures and hospital bed occupancy rates are expected to drop. Currently, bed occupancy rates remain above 50 percent in Aichi, Chiba, Hyogo, Kanagawa, Kyoto and Osaka prefectures.
The 18 prefectures currently under a quasi-emergency are:
- Aichi
- Aomori
- Chiba
- Gifu
- Gunma
- Hokkaido
- Hyogo
- Ibaraki
- Ishikawa
- Kagawa
- Kanagawa
- Kumamoto
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Saitama
- Shizuoka
- Tochigi
- Tokyo
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
More news
In photos: the stage adaption of Spirited Away looks incredible with its amazing puppets
This traditional Japanese house near Kamakura is now a beachside vacation villa
This cute Tokyo Station kiosk sells Japan-exclusive Disney treats
Here’s how you can make Japan’s famous soufflé pancakes at home
North America is getting an 8-month Ghibli Fest from April 2022
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.