Just three months before the start of the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Japan has declared a new state of emergency in Tokyo and three other regions in connection with the spread of Covid-19.
The increase in the number of infections, including with new variants of the virus, has caused concern among Japanese government and health officials.
However, the government and the organizers of the Olympic Games still insist that the Tokyo Games take place. They must take place from 23 July to 8 August.
Japanese Prime Minister Josihide Suga announced on Friday that a state of emergency would be declared in Tokyo, as well as in Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, which would last from April 25 to May 11. Japan has so far avoided very strict restrictions, but the minister responsible for responding to the pandemic, Yasutoshi Nishimura, has warned that the current restrictions are not enough.
The authorities now want bars and restaurants to be completely closed or to stop selling alcohol, and shopping centers to be closed. Movement could also be restricted, sporting events would take place behind closed doors and people were encouraged to work remotely.
The prevalence of Covid-19 in Japan has been relatively low. Japan has a population of 125 million, but more than 550,000 people have been infected with Covid-19 in more than a year since the pandemic began, of which about 9,800 have died.
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