Japan Considers Extending State Of Emergency
The Japanese government is considering extending its state of emergency around the country's two major urban centers.
The measure is currently due to expire on Sunday. Officials say they will make a decision on Tuesday after hearing from experts.
More than three weeks have passed since the state of emergency was declared in the capital and three neighboring prefectures. The measure was later extended to include Osaka and six other prefectures.
The number of new cases reported over the past week in these areas has fallen compared to a week earlier.
Across Japan, officials confirmed 1,792 new cases on Monday, and 80 deaths.
In Tokyo, 393 new cases were confirmed on Monday. The daily tally fell below 400 for the first time since late December.
But experts say the medical system remains under strain.... They note numbers of seriously ill patients and deaths have been surpassing the previous records.
Even as officials consider extending the state of emergency in the Tokyo and Osaka areas... they might lift it for Tochigi Prefecture near Tokyo, where they say the situation has been improving.
Regional leaders say the extension is necessary.
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said, "With everyone's cooperation, the infection cases have stabilized. But we still have to persevere. Tokyo will work with the central government to take thorough measures.
Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi said, "The medical care system is under strain, so extending a state of emergency is unavoidable."
Meanwhile, Japan is expected to enact bills on Wednesday that will allow regional leaders to impose fines on rule breakers.
Prefectural governors will be able to penalize businesses that don't follow requests to change their operating hours, as well as infected people who refuse to stay at designated facilities.