[Update, April 21] The Mainichi reports that Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has tentatively set the dates for Tokyo's third state of emergency: April 29 to May 9, with a possible extension by another week. However, this emergency declaration is not yet finalised. According to the report, Koike will be meeting with officials tomorrow (April 22) to discuss issuing a formal request to the central government to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Osaka has requested that the central government declare a fresh state of emergency in the prefecture, which will run for approximately three weeks to a month.
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[April 19] Although Tokyo was placed under a quasi-state of emergency on Monday April 12, the capital is now eyeing a new emergency declaration as Covid-19 cases continue to climb. As reported by The Japan Times, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has hinted at asking the central government to declare another state of emergency for the capital. Meanwhile, according to The Asahi Shimbun, this formal request could be made as early as Thursday April 22.
This follows six straight days in which Tokyo recorded over 500 new infections each day. Most recently, the capital reported a total of 543 new cases on Sunday April 18. The report also states that Tokyo's daily count of new infections has risen approximately 20 percent from a week ago. There is also concern over the number of coronavirus variants spreading amongst the younger population.
If a new state of emergency is called, it will be the third emergency declaration for Tokyo following one from April to May last year and another from January to March of this year.
Meanwhile, The Japan Times also reports that Osaka is set to ask the central government to declare a state of emergency in the prefecture. Osaka has seen record high numbers topping over 1,000 cases for six days in a row, with Sunday April 18 coming to 1,220 cases. A decision for Osaka’s state of emergency will be finalised tomorrow, Tuesday April 20.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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