TOKYO -- Japanese lawmakers on Friday gave Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the authority to declare a state of emergency if the new-coronavirus outbreak escalates, giving authorities more options for curtailing its spread.
Coronavirus
Abe weighs declaring emergency under Japan's new legislation
Prefecture governors will be given authority to close schools, theaters and stores
A subway in Kyoto: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe now has the power to declare an emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak. © Reuters
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