Japan issues state of emergency over pandemic, virus surges in Tokyo

Tokyo (dpa), 7 Jan, 2021 – Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency over the Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday for Tokyo and its surrounding region amid a surge in infections. 

The declaration covers the capital and its three neighbouring prefectures – Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama – considered at highest risk of infection with the coronavirus, Suga told a meeting of the government’s pandemic response team.

Speaking at a news conference, Suga urged residents in the four prefectures to refrain from non-essential and non-urgent outings after 8 pm (1100 GMT).

About half of recent nationwide infections were from the four prefectures, the premier said. He added the measure takes effect on Friday and lasts until February 7 and vowed to improve situations in 
the month.