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Japan lifts state of emergency

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Published: 12:52, 25 May 2020   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Japan lifts state of emergency

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Monday that the state of emergency declared over the novel coronavirus crisis is over in Japan, ending curbs on economic activity in Tokyo and four other prefectures as experts judged the spread of infections is now under control.

Abe lifted the state of emergency that had been in place since April for the Tokyo metropolitan area including Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures, along with Hokkaido in northern Japan, about a week earlier than its scheduled end. But he warned that a re-imposition is possible if infections spike.

With the removal of the restrictions imposed under the state of emergency, the recession-hit Japanese economy is still expected to regain vigor, albeit at a gradual pace. The five prefectures account for about a third of the country's gross domestic product.

"I have decided to end the state of emergency across the nation," Abe told a televised press conference. "In just over a month and a half, we almost brought (the infection) situation under control."

"The lifting of the emergency does not mean the virus is gone or infections are down to zero. Our battle against the virus will continue," Abe said as health experts call for continued vigilance against a second or third wave of infections.

Agencies


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