Osaka Pref. Wants Emergency Lifted In Late Feb.
Osaka Prefecture in western Japan has decided to ask the central government at the end of February to be removed from a state of emergency imposed to contain the coronavirus.
The measure covers ten prefectures until March 7.
Officials in the prefecture say the number of new cases and the occupancy rate of hospital beds for seriously ill patients are generally declining.
But the overall view within the central government is that the decline in new cases is slowing and more needs to be done to contain the spread.
Central government officials are expected to listen to the views of experts and make a decision after next week.
On Friday evening, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide met with Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is in charge of the coronavirus response, and health minister Tamura Norihisa. Suga was briefed about the current situation.
Nishimura said he believes prefectural governors will have various views next week. He said he intends to make a decision about the state of emergency after listening to what they have to say, sharing information, and listening to experts.