Japan Reports Over 12,000 New COVID-19 Cases in a Day... State of Emergency Likely to Be Extended

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Although the increase in new COVID-19 cases in Japan is somewhat slowing down, the state of emergency declared in the capital Tokyo and other areas is expected to be extended.

On the 8th, the number of new COVID-19 infections in Japan was 12,396 in total (as of 6:30 PM), including 1,834 cases in Tokyo. This is the lowest number in six weeks since July 28, right after the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, based on Wednesday data.

As of this day, Japan's cumulative infections have surpassed 1.6 million. The number of deaths increased by 89 in one day, reaching 16,574. The number of severe cases was recorded at 2,211.

The Japanese government plans to extend the period of the state of emergency, a special quarantine measure, considering that although new infections are decreasing, the medical system is still under significant strain. Currently, among Japan's 47 prefectures, 21 have a state of emergency declared until the 12th of this month. The government plans to convert only two of these areas, Miyagi and Okayama prefectures, to priority measures for preventing widespread infection equivalent to a state of emergency, while continuing the state of emergency in the remaining 19 regions until the end of this month.

Among the 12 regions currently under priority measures, only six will be lifted, and the period for priority measures in the remaining regions will also be extended until the end of this month.

The Japanese government will officially decide on the extension of the state of emergency at a task force meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the afternoon of the 9th.

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