The Japanese government is expected to lift the state of emergency nationwide on Monday, seven weeks after it was first implemented.
The state of emergency, based on the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response, was first declared on 7 April and although it has already been lifted in some areas, it currently remains in place for the metropolitan area of Tokyo, three surrounding prefectures and Hokkaido.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe along with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Katsunobu Kato, and Minister of Economic Rehabilitation Yasutoshi Nishimura were briefed on the latest rates of infection on Sunday, with an advisory panel set to discuss the matter Monday.
Upon hearing the opinions of the advisory committee, the House of Representatives Steering Committee will make a formal decision on lifting the measures.
The move to ease restrictions comes as Tokyo reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday – the first time in three days it had reached double figures. Hokkaido reported 15 new cases of its own.
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