Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. Photo: ReutersJapan will declare a state of emergency in three more prefectures hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura says, in a surprise move reflecting growing concerns about the virus's spread. Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will on Sunday join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures under a state of emergency until May 31, said Nishimura, who is also in charge of coronavirus countermeasures. The government had originally proposed a more targeted "quasi-emergency" declaration for Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima, and two other prefectures. The rising state of emergency declarations come as Japan grapples with a surge of a more infectious strain of Covid-19 just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics are due to start.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 14, 2021 02:15 UTC