Tokyo, Osaka, other prefectures already under state of emergency until May 6
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Thursday that the national government is expanding the current state of emergency for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nationwide until May 6. Abe already declared a state of emergency for seven prefectures on April 7, after discussing the matter with an advisory panel of experts. The government’s COVID-19 task force met again on Thursday evening for expert recommendations before formally announcing the expansion.