United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Japan considering a new state of emergency for Tokyo
The Japanese government is ‘seriously’ considering imposing a new state of emergency across Tokyo, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.
It would include the Greater Tokyo arrea and the three neighbouring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba.
The PM said the Go To Travel domestic tourism campaign may not restart as planned next week.
"Even with the surge in infection numbers, the number of people going out in the Greater Tokyo area did not really decrease at all in December," Suga said at a press conference.
"An even stronger message must be sent to the people. I must reiterate the request for people to avoid going out for unnecessary purposes."
It will likely be different from the previous state of emergency between April and May.
Instead of blanket closures, it may be more ‘targeted’ such as placing restrictions on restaurants.
The four prefectures hit new daily records for infections on New Year’s Eve, with Tokyo recording more than 1,300 new cases.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel