United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Japan expands state of emergency
Japan plans to significantly expand a state of emergency as the country racks up more than 300,000 total Covid cases.
It will expand it to seven more prefectures after the governors of Osaka, Kyoto and other prefectures requested it.
It comes as public sentiment toward going ahead with the Tokyo Olympics this year continues to fade.
In a recent survey by broadcaster NHK, just 16% said the Games should go ahead while 77% said it should be cancelled or postponed.
The state of emergency will be extended to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Tochigi prefectures and is set to last until at least 7 February.
"A declaration of a state of emergency is a powerful means, based on the law, for tackling the spread of infections, but it also places big restrictions on people’s lives," Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference.
"A very careful decision is therefore required of the government," he said.
The PM has been criticised for a slow and disjointed approach to the pandemic, choosing to protect the economy and staking his reputation on going ahead with the Olympic Games.
Now, even his economic adviser Takeshi Niinami said the hosting of Olympics is looking increasingly unlikely this year.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
Related News Stories:
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.
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
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled