Japan to declare month-long COVID emergency as soon as Thursday

Move will cover Tokyo and surrounding areas where infections are surging

20210104 suga on Jan. 4

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference on Jan. 4. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

Nikkei staff writers

Latest developments:

  • Japan's government will issue new emergency declaration as early as Thursday
  • Tokyo and surrounding areas call on residents to stay indoors after 8 p.m.
  • Bars and restaurants to close early, but schools will remain open

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government is poised to declare a state of emergency for the second time in the COVID-19 pandemic, acting as soon as Thursday to combat surging cases in the Tokyo area, Nikkei has learned.

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