Tokyo Reports Single-Digit New COVID-19 Cases for the First Time in Over 50 Days... Is Emergency Declaration Lift Possible?

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] In Tokyo, Japan, the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) dropped to single digits for the first time in about 50 days.

According to local media on the 15th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo remained at 9. This is the lowest daily number of new cases since March 22, when 3 new infections were recorded, following a continuous spread and surge in confirmed cases.

Including the newly added cases on this day, the current cumulative number of infections in the Tokyo area stands at 5,036.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency on the 14th in 39 prefectures nationwide, excluding 8 prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka. One of the criteria for lifting the emergency was that the number of new infections per 100,000 people over the past week should be below 0.5. According to this criterion, if Tokyo maintains fewer than 10 new daily confirmed cases for more than a week, the state of emergency can be lifted.

The Japanese government plans to review the possibility of lifting the emergency on the 21st for the 8 prefectures where the state of emergency will be maintained.

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