TOKYO: The Japanese government sees no need at the moment to declare a state of emergency over the new coronavirus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Friday.

He was responding to a question about the possibility of the government issuing a state of emergency after a recent surge in the number of newly confirmed infection cases in many parts of the country.

“We believe that we are not currently in a situation that requires the government to declare a state of emergency and experts share this view,” Kato told a press conference.

On dining sessions between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and ruling party lawmakers and private-sector officials, Kato said it is important for the prime minister to meet with people from various fields and hear diverse opinions.

Kato suggested that the government sees no problems in dining with others as long as thorough countermeasures against the coronavirus are taken.

JIJI Press