Tokyo
Regional Japanese governments have requested emergency pandemic measures be lifted ahead of the scheduled 7 March end as new Covid-19 cases trend lower, the country’s economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.
He added the government will seek expert views before agreeing. A surge in cases prompted Japan to announce a state of emergency last month for 11 prefectures, requesting residents to curtail activities and businesses to shorten operating hours.
The state of emergency would likely be lifted in stages though businesses would be asked to continue closing early, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Wednesday.
