Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Japanese government decided on Friday to extend the state of emergency in nine prefectures, including Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, until June 20.

Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide told a press conference: “Infections in Tokyo and Osaka are decreasing, but the number of new infections is still high. In Osaka and other places, beds are tight. As for Hokkaido and Okinawa, the number of infected people has continued to increase, so we decided to extend it under these circumstances.”

The decision will continue to apply for the 10 prefectures, including Okinawa Prefecture, which has already set a deadline of June 20.

“Although the repeated extensions are very regrettable, I think the next three weeks will be a crucial period to achieve the results of the ‘two-pronged strategy’ of vaccinations and preventing infection,” Suga said, adding that there was still a danger from emerging variants of the virus.

“We should be wary of the influence of mutant variants,” Suga said. “We will strengthen the monitoring of variants. The number of new infections nationwide is on the decline, but it is unpredictable and some areas are still on the rise.”

In addition, the government will extend the application of “priority measures such as prevention of spread” to five prefectures, including Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa, Gifu and Mie, which will expire at the end of this month. The measures in Gunma, Ishikawa and Kumamoto prefectures will expire on June 13.

The prime minister added that the government would extend interest-free loans to support companies and businesses.