One week in advance! Japan will lift the state of emergency in areas other than the metropolitan area ahead of schedule

In Japan, where the number of coronavirus cases has fallen significantly, officials are considering lifting the state of emergency early -- with the exception of the greater Tokyo area. However, there are concerns that lifting the decree too early could spark a rebound in cases.

The Japan Broadcasting Association reported on the 26th that the Japanese government plans to lift the state of emergency in all areas except Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures at the end of this month, one week earlier than originally scheduled !

In January this year , as the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic raged in Japan, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in 11 of Japan's 47 prefectures . Except for Tochigi Prefecture , which had already lifted the state of emergency , there are still 10 prefectures in Japan that are in a state of emergency.

But as the number of coronavirus cases in Japan has clearly declined, officials are considering lifting the state of emergency in six prefectures, including Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu and Fukuoka, at the end of February . The state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures will remain unchanged as originally planned .

However , the report also stated that Japan's new coronavirus infection rate peaked in early January and has now dropped significantly, including in the capital Tokyo. Therefore, the Japanese government also hopes to lift the state of emergency in Tokyo and its three surrounding prefectures on March 7 as planned .

At the same time, it also called on the people of Tokyo and its three neighboring countries to continue to take precautions and reduce unnecessary outings so that the state of emergency can be lifted as scheduled on March 7.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said : "The government will review the issue while coordinating with local authorities, taking into account the number of cases and the medical system. We will make a comprehensive judgment after listening to experts." Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will make a final decision after meeting with experts today.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, more than 1,000 new confirmed cases were reported on February 25. As of February 26 , Japan has a total of 428,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , of which 7,647 people have died.

"Lifting the state of emergency early could send the wrong message to people that the situation is safe and we need to maintain strict epidemic prevention measures, " said Toshio Nakagawa, president of the Japan Medical Association, which oversees the country's medical affairs.

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