Japan PM Shinzo Abe today lifted the state of emergency in the country which was imposed to combat the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-magic-drug-hydroxychloroquine-may-be-killing-coronavirus-patients-across-the-globe-study-300863">coronavirus</a> pandemic&nbsp;after decline in the number of cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-19-cases-surge-past-54-million-death-toll-over-34-lakh-300843">Also Read:&nbsp;Global COVID-19 cases surge past 5.4 million, death toll over 3.4 lakh</a>

"Today we will lift the state of emergency nationwide," the Japan PM said adding, "we had very stringent criteria for lifting the state of emergency. We have judged that we have met these criteria," Abe said during a televised address to the nation.

The Japanese PM had imposed the emergency on April 7 in Tokyo and six other regions as the number of COVID-19 cases began to increase, it was later extended to other parts of the nation.

Although, the country had begun to take off the restrictions since last week but the government decided to make the decision after looking at the cases in Tokyo and northern Hokkaido which were the hardest hit due to the virus.

"If we lower our guard, the infection will spread very rapidly... we need to be vigilant," Abe cautioned citizens, while asserting that, "we need to create a new lifestyle; from now on we need to change our way of thinking."&nbsp;

During the speech, Abe said Japan was able to show "the strength of the so-called Japan model" by flattening the curve.

Japan has 16,581 recorded coronavirus cases with 830 deaths which is nowhere close to the United States, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom where thousands have died due to the virus.

As the country emerges from the virus and begins economic activity, its economy has slipped into a recession for the first time since 2015, with fears of deflation looming over the government.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe today lifted the state of emergency in the country which was imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic after decline in the number of cases.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe today lifted the state of emergency in the country which was imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic after decline in the number of cases. Also Read: Global COVID-19 cases surge past 5.4 million, death toll over 3.4 lakh "Today we will lift the state of emergency nationwide," the Japan PM said adding, "we had very stringent criteria for lifting the state of emergency. We have judged that we have met these criteria," Abe said during a televised address to the nation. The Japanese PM had imposed the emergency on April 7 in Tokyo and six other regions as the number of COVID-19 cases began to increase, it was later extended to other parts of the nation. Although, the country had begun to take off the restrictions since last week but the government decided to make the decision after looking at the cases in Tokyo and northern Hokkaido which were the hardest hit due to the virus. "If we lower our guard, the infection will spread very rapidly... we need to be vigilant," Abe cautioned citizens, while asserting that, "we need to create a new lifestyle; from now on we need to change our way of thinking." During the speech, Abe said Japan was able to show "the strength of the so-called Japan model" by flattening the curve. Japan has 16,581 recorded coronavirus cases with 830 deaths which is nowhere close to the United States, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom where thousands have died due to the virus. As the country emerges from the virus and begins economic activity, its economy has slipped into a recession for the first time since 2015, with fears of deflation looming over the government.

Japan lifts coronavirus emergency as cases decline

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-could-spread-rapidly-through-a-speech-study-298541">coronavirus</a> pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-like-hiv-coronavirus-may-never-go-away-who-expert-warns-298539">Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert</a>

However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown. The lockdown is due to be lifted on May 31.

"If possible, before May 31, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well," PM Abe said, however, the prime minister cautioned that "it's going to be a long road ahead."

The government has decided to end restrictions in 39 out of 47 prefectures before the May 31 deadline even as new cases have been reported in Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido island.

Abe informed that state of emergency would be kept in place in those areas.

"If each of us fails to exercise full vigilance, the future in two weeks time is unpredictable. A second declaration of a state of emergency is possible," PM Abe warned citizens.

Japan has a relatively small number of deaths - 687 in all with just over 16,000 coronavirus cases. On Wednesday, the country reported 55 cases with 10 in capital Tokyo, however, authorities have been under fire for low level of testing.

"As for the 39 prefectures, we were able to contain the spread of infections&nbsp;to the level at which it can be prevented with a thorough cluster-focused approach," the Japan PM said.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown. The lockdown is due to be lifted on May 31. "If possible, before May 31, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well," PM Abe said, however, the prime minister cautioned that "it's going to be a long road ahead." The government has decided to end restrictions in 39 out of 47 prefectures before the May 31 deadline even as new cases have been reported in Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido island. Abe informed that state of emergency would be kept in place in those areas. "If each of us fails to exercise full vigilance, the future in two weeks time is unpredictable. A second declaration of a state of emergency is possible," PM Abe warned citizens. Japan has a relatively small number of deaths - 687 in all with just over 16,000 coronavirus cases. On Wednesday, the country reported 55 cases with 10 in capital Tokyo, however, authorities have been under fire for low level of testing. "As for the 39 prefectures, we were able to contain the spread of infections to the level at which it can be prevented with a thorough cluster-focused approach," the Japan PM said.

Japan PM Abe lifts state of emergency except in some virus-hit regions

Japan on Monday extended the lockdown due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/madagascar-president-launches-herbal-cure-for-covid-19-296509">coronavirus </a>to May 31 with PM Shinzo Abe declaring that it "covered all prefectures in the nation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-coronavirus-tally-surpasses-35-million-amid-underreporting-concerns-296499">Also Read:&nbsp;Global coronavirus tally surpasses 3.5 million amid underreporting concerns</a>

"I will extend the period of the state of emergency I declared on April 7 until May 31," PM Abe said, adding,"The number of new cases has declined, but unfortunately the decrease has not reached the targeted level."

Japan has reported 15,000 COVID-19 infections with 510 deaths.&nbsp;

"As the healthcare sector remains under pressure, we need continued cooperation from people," the prime minister said.

On Friday, Japanese stocks had closed down amid concerns over tensions between the US and China. The Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.84 per cent to end at 19,619.35, while the broader Topix index lost 2.24 per cent even as the virus continued to keep the country in shutdown. The markets are closed today due to a holiday.

The citizens have been told to stay indoors even as the country battles the virus with authorities cautious over a second wave of infections. With the health services under pressure with health workers still to carry out adequate amount of tests with the country facing a shortage of resources.

Japan's parliament last week passed an emergency budget worth around $240 billion, including cash handouts for every resident to fight the COVID-19 pandemic as the country sought to prop up its economy badly hit due to the virus.

The budget has made huge provisions for handouts with half of it going towards cash payment. It is part of a larger stimulus of $1 million which the Abe government had announced last month.

Japan on Monday extended the lockdown due to coronavirus to May 31 with PM Shinzo Abe declaring that it "covered all prefectures in the nation". Also Read: Global coronavirus tally surpasses 3.

Japan on Monday extended the lockdown due to coronavirus to May 31 with PM Shinzo Abe declaring that it "covered all prefectures in the nation". Also Read: Global coronavirus tally surpasses 3.5 million amid underreporting concerns "I will extend the period of the state of emergency I declared on April 7 until May 31," PM Abe said, adding,"The number of new cases has declined, but unfortunately the decrease has not reached the targeted level." Japan has reported 15,000 COVID-19 infections with 510 deaths. "As the healthcare sector remains under pressure, we need continued cooperation from people," the prime minister said. On Friday, Japanese stocks had closed down amid concerns over tensions between the US and China. The Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.84 per cent to end at 19,619.35, while the broader Topix index lost 2.24 per cent even as the virus continued to keep the country in shutdown. The markets are closed today due to a holiday. The citizens have been told to stay indoors even as the country battles the virus with authorities cautious over a second wave of infections. With the health services under pressure with health workers still to carry out adequate amount of tests with the country facing a shortage of resources. Japan's parliament last week passed an emergency budget worth around $240 billion, including cash handouts for every resident to fight the COVID-19 pandemic as the country sought to prop up its economy badly hit due to the virus. The budget has made huge provisions for handouts with half of it going towards cash payment. It is part of a larger stimulus of $1 million which the Abe government had announced last month.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe extends lockdown till May 31

As the country battles <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/keen-to-work-with-international-partners-at-chinas-invitation-to-investigate-animal-origins-of-virus-who-296083">coronavirus</a>, Japan PM &nbsp;Shinzo Abe said his government would be extending the&nbsp;"state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sets-a-grim-record-reports-7933-coronavirus-cases-in-a-day-296066">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia sets a grim record, reports 7,933 coronavirus cases in a day</a>

"After receiving this report from the panel of experts, I asked Minister Nishimura to use extending the current framework of the state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions," Abe said.

The Japanese prime minister had earlier put a plan in place for seven regions but later extended it to cover the entire country as the number of coronavirus cases rose rapidly in the country.

The Japanese prime minister said he would be listening to experts and making a decision.&nbsp;

"The view of experts is that we will continue to need the cooperation of the Japanese people for the foreseeable future," the Japanese prime minister asserted.

Although the number of coronavirus cases hasn't spiked, however, authorities fear a bigger outbreak will strain the country with&nbsp;health services already under pressure. The country had postponed the Olympics to be held in July&nbsp;as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take a toll around the world.

The country had declared lockdown restriction on April 7 as the number of cases began to rise.

Tohru Kakuta, a vice president of Tokyo Medical Association had said earlier that, "the Japanese people tend to believe and follow the instructions that come from above... as well as to follow what others are doing to stick with the crowd, adding,""We can also expect to see the second and third waves and so on. Therefore what would be important is to detect those at an early stage so that actions can be taken."

Kakuta warned&nbsp;the country should be prepared for a "long fight" even as governors backed the move for an extension.

Japan has recorded nearly 14,000 coroanvirus infections and 415 deaths.

As the country battles coronavirus, Japan PM Shinzo Abe said his government would be extending the "state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions".

As the country battles coronavirus, Japan PM Shinzo Abe said his government would be extending the "state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions". Also Read: Russia sets a grim record, reports 7,933 coronavirus cases in a day "After receiving this report from the panel of experts, I asked Minister Nishimura to use extending the current framework of the state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions," Abe said. The Japanese prime minister had earlier put a plan in place for seven regions but later extended it to cover the entire country as the number of coronavirus cases rose rapidly in the country. The Japanese prime minister said he would be listening to experts and making a decision. "The view of experts is that we will continue to need the cooperation of the Japanese people for the foreseeable future," the Japanese prime minister asserted. Although the number of coronavirus cases hasn't spiked, however, authorities fear a bigger outbreak will strain the country with health services already under pressure. The country had postponed the Olympics to be held in July as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take a toll around the world. The country had declared lockdown restriction on April 7 as the number of cases began to rise. Tohru Kakuta, a vice president of Tokyo Medical Association had said earlier that, "the Japanese people tend to believe and follow the instructions that come from above... as well as to follow what others are doing to stick with the crowd, adding,""We can also expect to see the second and third waves and so on. Therefore what would be important is to detect those at an early stage so that actions can be taken." Kakuta warned the country should be prepared for a "long fight" even as governors backed the move for an extension. Japan has recorded nearly 14,000 coroanvirus infections and 415 deaths.

State of emergency in Japan extended by one month: PM Abe on COVID-19