Kato: Govt. May Discuss Osaka Virus Declaration
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu has hinted that the government may soon discuss whether to declare another state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic for Osaka Prefecture at the request of the prefecture.
Kato expressed this at his meeting with senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday.
Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi said on Monday that he may ask the central government to declare a state of emergency. The prefecture is still reporting high numbers of daily new virus cases despite stricter measures that have been imposed since two weeks ago.
Kato noted on Tuesday that upon Osaka's request, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and relevant Cabinet ministers, including the minister in charge of coronavirus measures, Nishimura Yasutoshi, and health minister Tamura Norihisa, may discuss the matter later in the day.
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 is expected to decide whether to declare an emergency after reviewing the local medical situation and other indicators.
If declared, it will be the third emergency declaration over the coronavirus.