TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga confirmed Thursday that the government will lift the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures on Sunday, although restrictions on hard-hit restaurants and bars will remain in place.
In a news conference, Suga said that weeks of restrictions had brought new infections under control and led to a fall in hospitalization, with more hospital beds becoming available. He stressed that his administration would continue to take measures to prevent any surge in cases even after the removal of the emergency status, calling on the public to rally behind government guidance.
