Govt. Studying Another State Of Emergency
The Japanese government is studying declaring a state of emergency for the third time in Tokyo, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures.
Osaka officials on Tuesday asked the government to declare a state of emergency. The number of coronavirus infections in the western Japanese prefecture has been on a sharp rise in recent weeks partly due to more contagious variants.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide told reporters on Tuesday that the government is examining the situation in response to the request, and will make a quick decision.
Tokyo and Hyogo, which neighbors Osaka, are also considering asking the government to issue a declaration.
An attached resolution to the coronavirus-related legislation revised in February stipulates that a governor's request for the government to declare an emergency should be respected.
The government hopes to cooperate with governors to take effective measures, while listening to experts' opinions. Osaka plans to ask major shopping facilities and theme parks to temporarily close to restrict the movement of people, if the declaration is issued.
Suga plans to consult with his Cabinet ministers soon to make a decision.
The government had declared 2 states of emergency, one in April 2020, and the second, in January 2021.