Japan lifts emergency in most areas though Tokyo remains on alert

Capital, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido will have their status reviewed in 7 days

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces that 39 of his country's 47 prefectures are now free of the government's emergency decree. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

Nikkei staff writers

May 14, 2020 18:05 JST

Updated on May 14, 2020 19:20 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Thursday evening that he has decided to lift the state of emergency for 39 of the country's 47 prefectures, effective immediately.