Japan declares month-long state of emergency in 7 prefectures as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures to ramp up defenses against the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement came on Tuesday as the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country continue to rise. However, the move came in the form of a stay-at-home request — not an order — and violators will not be penalized. The COVID-19 outbreak is now rampant and rapidly spreading, threatening people’s health, their daily lives and the economy, Abe said.

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