[Update, May 6, 6pm] Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has requested that the central government extend the state of emergency in the capital to May 31. Osaka has also formally request for its state of emergency to be extended beyond May 11.
***
[May 5] According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the central government is looking at the possibility of extending the current state of emergency which covers Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures. The third state of emergency is in place from April 25 to May 11, but officials are concerned that the 17-day period will not be sufficient to suppress the rate of new infections.
Though a decision has yet to be made, Prime Minister Suga had a meeting on May 5 with senior ministers to discuss the necessary measures moving forward. In addition to extending the state of emergency for the four prefectures, the government is also considering implementing stronger measures in several other prefectures including Hokkaido and Fukuoka.
The Japan Times reports that if the government does decide to prolong the emergency, it could be extended for two weeks to one month. Prime Minister Suga is expected to announce an official decision by the end of Friday.
This report was originally published on May 5 and updated on May 6.
More from Time Out
5 new Japanese films and shows coming to Netflix in May 2021
In photos: Tokyo goes dark under the current state of emergency
Japan may reopen international travel with ‘vaccine passports'
TikTok’s favourite instant ramen hack will upgrade your two-minute noodles
Six Tokyo museums have put their prized collections online
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.