The Japanese government on Sunday called for continued voluntary restrictions by residents of the eight prefectures where its coronavirus state of emergency remains in effect.

Economic and fiscal policy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura called for these residents' continued cooperation to ensure that the state of emergency is lifted within this month.

"A second wave of infections could come. People should continue voluntary restrictions without becoming relaxed about them," Nishimura said at a press conference.

On Thursday, the government lifted the state of emergency for 39 prefectures while keeping it in place for the remaining eight prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka. The eight may see the emergency lifted as early as Thursday before it expires on May 31.

Nishimura said that the government will look into coronavirus cases and testing capacity in considering whether to lift the state of emergency for the eight prefectures.

He said that even in the 39 prefectures where the state of emergency was lifted, "Reopening the economy all at once should be avoided."

Referring to a planned fiscal 2020 second supplementary budget to finance additional coronavirus relief measures, he said its size will be large enough to protect the Japanese economy.

The measures will possibly include increased rent support and employment subsidies, Nishimura said. The government is expected to adopt the supplementary budget plan as early as May 27.

JIJI Press