Japan announced a state of emergency in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa Prefectures on Saturday, and implemented urgent steps to prevent Covid-19 from spreading to Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka Prefectures until August 31, according to ANI.
“Until August 31st, the Government of Japan declares a state of emergency in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa Prefectures and takes priority efforts to prevent the spread of #COVID19 to Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka Prefectures,” the PM’s Office of Japan tweeted.
This occurs as the number of cases rises across the country. On July 29, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 3,865 more cases, bringing the total number of new cases to 10,699. Both figures are the highest since the outbreak began. Despite the fact that it has been roughly three weeks since the pronouncement, there is no sign that the wave of infections is subsiding, according to NHK World.
“Until August 31, we have decided to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa Prefectures, and to take priority steps to prevent disease transmission in Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka Prefectures,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated.
The emergency declarations in Tokyo and Okinawa were supposed to end on August 22. The measures, which already applied to the Olympics and the mid-August Obon holiday, will now be extended to a portion of the Paralympics, which will take place from August 24 to September 5, according to NHK World.
Furthermore, the Japanese government has opted to concentrate on vaccinating the younger generation.
