World: Japan declares State of Emergency for Tokyo, ahead of Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has declared a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three other urban prefectures in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 ahead of the already-delayed Summer Olympics.

During a national address Friday night, Suga announced that a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures will begin Sunday and last through May 11. The move was earlier endorsed by a panel of experts advising the Japanese government on COVID-19. Both the governors of Tokyo and Osaka prefectures have requested the emergency status.

“The end should be in sight,” the prime minister said. “The state of emergency is now declared. From the bottom of my heart, I ask for your cooperation.”

The 2020 Summer Olympics were supposed to kick off in Japan’s capital last year on July 24. But in late March, amid mounting calls to delay or cancel the upcoming Games due to the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese organizers announced that the event would be held a year later. Organizers have been dogged in their determination to go forward with the Games ever since, despite the public’s concerns over COVID-19.

By the time the latest state of emergency is slated to lift on May 11, there will be about 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics open on July 23.