Prime Minister Abe Considers Extending Japan's State of Emergency: "Immediate Return to Normal Life Difficult"

"Hard to Return to Daily Life Immediately from May 7"
Considering Expert Opinions, Reviewing Period and Area Confirmation
Originally Until May 6, Extension Likely to Late May or Early June

Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has indicated his intention to extend the state of emergency period related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to NHK and Kyodo News on the 30th, Prime Minister Abe met with Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai and Acting Secretary-General Motoo Hayashi at the Prime Minister's Office in the afternoon and conveyed the policy to extend the state of emergency period. It was reported that the extension period and target areas will be determined after considering experts' opinions.

Right after the supplementary budget including emergency economic measures to respond to COVID-19 passed the National Diet, Prime Minister Abe told reporters, "I think it will be difficult to return to normal life from May 7," adding, "We must prepare for a certain degree of a protracted battle. I want to hear experts' opinions on how long the (state of emergency) extension period should be."

In response to the rapid increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Abe declared a state of emergency on the 7th targeting Tokyo and seven prefectures, and on the 16th expanded the state of emergency nationwide. Along with the declaration, a request to refrain from going out was issued throughout Japan.

The initial state of emergency period was until May 6, but Japanese media report that it is highly likely to be extended until the end of May or early June. The National Governors' Association, composed of governors from all 47 prefectures (metropolitan and prefectural governments), demanded the government extend the state of emergency declaration on the same day.

Prime Minister Abe is expected to make a final decision regarding the extension of the state of emergency after expert meetings scheduled for the morning of the 1st of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.