Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard. It is being viewed as a surprise move that reflects growing concern on spread of coronavirus.

Japan is grappling with surge of more infectious virus strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics are due to start on July 23.

Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures on Sunday (May 16) under a state of emergency until May 31, Suga told a news conference, adding that this was due to a rapid increase of cases in those areas.

The government had originally decided on a more targetted "quasi-emergency" for five additional prefectures.

"We took experts' opinion into consideration," Suga said on the need for a state of emergency in the prefectures, adding that a stronger message had been needed.

The latest measures bring 19 of Japan's 47 prefectures, home to about 70% of the population, under curbs such as an 8 p.m. closing deadline for eateries and a ban on alcohol at most bars and restaurants.

The decision also came just over two months before the Olympics, postponed for a year due to the pandemic and now set to start on July 23. Suga reiterated that the Olympics could be held while ensuring the safety of both athletes and Japanese nationals, and that the government was considering measures on restricting the movements of foreign journalist."

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard.

Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard. It is being viewed as a surprise move that reflects growing concern on spread of coronavirus. Japan is grappling with surge of more infectious virus strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics are due to start on July 23. Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures on Sunday (May 16) under a state of emergency until May 31, Suga told a news conference, adding that this was due to a rapid increase of cases in those areas. The government had originally decided on a more targetted "quasi-emergency" for five additional prefectures. "We took experts' opinion into consideration," Suga said on the need for a state of emergency in the prefectures, adding that a stronger message had been needed. The latest measures bring 19 of Japan's 47 prefectures, home to about 70% of the population, under curbs such as an 8 p.m. closing deadline for eateries and a ban on alcohol at most bars and restaurants. The decision also came just over two months before the Olympics, postponed for a year due to the pandemic and now set to start on July 23. Suga reiterated that the Olympics could be held while ensuring the safety of both athletes and Japanese nationals, and that the government was considering measures on restricting the movements of foreign journalist." (With inputs from agencies)

Japan widens COVID-19 emergency to three more prefectures

With less than three months before the Tokyo Olympics are set to begin on July 23, Japan is now facing immense pressure to control the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan may extend Covid-19 state of emergency beyond May 11

Japan is extending its coronavirus state of emergency until March 7, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced, following a government meeting.

Japan extends state of emergency in Tokyo and 9 other cities until 7th March

Japan has declared a limited state of emergency in the capital, Tokyo, and three neighbouring prefectures on Thursday to stem the spread of the coronavirus, resisting calls from some medics for wider curbs due to the economic damage they would cause.

Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo area as COVID-19 cases surge

Japan PM Suga: Highest ever infection in respective regions

Japan may enter a state of emergency this week as the country grapples with soaring coronavirus cases

Japan poised for state of emergency as Covid-19 cases soar

Japan's Okinawa region has declared a state of emergency and asked people to stay home for two weeks as the popular tourist destination sees an "explosive spread" of coronavirus cases.

Governor Denny Tamaki on Friday asked residents to avoid non-essential outings following a record new daily addition to the southern island's total cases, the majority of which have been detected among US forces based there.

"We're seeing an explosive spread of infections. We declare a state of emergency" through August 15, Tamaki told reporters, adding hospitals were being overwhelmed by the surge.

The measures are non-compulsory and without the aggressive enforcement measures seen in Europe, but similar requests from authorities have been widely respected in Japan. Okinawa reported 71 new coronavirus cases Friday, bringing its total to 395.

US forces account for 248 of those cases, according to the local government, which has created tensions with local officials, including the governor who has said he was "shocked" by the high numbers.

There are approximately 20,000 US Marines in Okinawa, along with thousands more troops from other US military services.

Their presence on the island is a longstanding sore spot, with many in the region arguing they bear a disproportionate share of the burden of hosting American forces.

Okinawa's move comes as Tokyo called for restaurants, bars and karaoke parlours to shut at 10 pm from August 3 until the end of the month after the number of daily cases hit a new record.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said the capital would have to issue a state of emergency if cases continued to rise.

Japan has so far escaped the worst of the epidemic, with around 35,200 infections and just over 1,000 deaths since the first case was detected in January.

The number of cases has been on the rise since the central government lifted a nationwide state of emergency in May.

Japan's Okinawa region has declared a state of emergency and asked people to stay home for two weeks as the popular tourist destination sees an "explosive spread" of coronavirus cases.

Japan's Okinawa region has declared a state of emergency and asked people to stay home for two weeks as the popular tourist destination sees an "explosive spread" of coronavirus cases. Governor Denny Tamaki on Friday asked residents to avoid non-essential outings following a record new daily addition to the southern island's total cases, the majority of which have been detected among US forces based there. "We're seeing an explosive spread of infections. We declare a state of emergency" through August 15, Tamaki told reporters, adding hospitals were being overwhelmed by the surge. The measures are non-compulsory and without the aggressive enforcement measures seen in Europe, but similar requests from authorities have been widely respected in Japan. Okinawa reported 71 new coronavirus cases Friday, bringing its total to 395. US forces account for 248 of those cases, according to the local government, which has created tensions with local officials, including the governor who has said he was "shocked" by the high numbers. There are approximately 20,000 US Marines in Okinawa, along with thousands more troops from other US military services. Their presence on the island is a longstanding sore spot, with many in the region arguing they bear a disproportionate share of the burden of hosting American forces. Okinawa's move comes as Tokyo called for restaurants, bars and karaoke parlours to shut at 10 pm from August 3 until the end of the month after the number of daily cases hit a new record. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said the capital would have to issue a state of emergency if cases continued to rise. Japan has so far escaped the worst of the epidemic, with around 35,200 infections and just over 1,000 deaths since the first case was detected in January. The number of cases has been on the rise since the central government lifted a nationwide state of emergency in May.

Japan's Okinawa declares state of emergency as COVID-19 cases soar

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday evening justified extending the state of emergency nationwide until May 31

Japan extends state of emergency till May 31

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Trump claims he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab United States President Donald Trump has contradicted a statement from his own intelligence community by claiming he had seen evidence that proved the novel coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

Trump claims he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab United States President Donald Trump has contradicted a statement from his own intelligence community by claiming he had seen evidence that proved the novel coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China. He, however, declined to provide details to validate his assertion. State of emergency in Japan to extended by one month: PM Abe on COVID-19 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". Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden denies sexual assault accusations In first public remarks, US Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday denied any sexual assault allegations related to a former staffer in his US Senate office. As rumours of Kim Jong-un's demise intensify, UN denies having information In a series of social media speculations, Kim Jong-un’s death has twittered across platforms over the last couple of weeks. Journalist jailed for 15-years as Chinese government intensifies free-speech clampdown In one of the harshest sentence in China, the government arrested a journalist on Thursday for "attacking" the ruling party. The journalist has been sentenced for 15-years. Coronavirus infections in Iran rise to 95,646; death toll at 6,091: Health Ministry The death toll due to coronavirus in Iran jumped to 6,091 after health ministry reported 64 new deaths in the last 24 hours on Friday. Keen to work with international partners at China's invitation to investigate animal origins of virus: WHO WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told AFP in an email that the UN body hopes China would invite it to take part in its investigations into the "animal origins of the coronavirus." Coronavirus global death toll passes 230,000; confirmed recoveries hit 1 million Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Germany eases lockdown amid fear of second wave of infections Germany is set to reopen playgrounds, museums and churches from Monday to go with the small shops that reopened this week despite the risk of a new outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The country will decide within days about schools and sports events as it eases its way out of lockdown. Trump might impose tariff on China for coronavirus damages, likens WHO to Beijing's PR agency United States President Donald Trump has hinted at imposing tariff on China as a punishment for the coronavirus outbreak. He, however, ruled out considering cancelling US debt obligations to the country.

Top 10 world news today: Trump's proof against China, emergency in Japan and more

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