Japan to expand quasi-emergency measures and cast new doubt on the Olympics

A countdown clock showing that there are 100 days left until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to coronavirus (COVID-19) disease until 2021 is reflected in a pond in Tokyo, Japan on April 14, 2021. REUTERS / Issei Kato

Japan will extend quasi-emergency measures to ten regions on Friday as a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases spread, raising doubts as to whether the Tokyo Summer Olympics could be held.

Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters that the government was considering adding Aichi, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba to six other prefectures already under orders, including the metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka. A final decision is expected Friday afternoon.

Japan’s leading health experts have acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has entered a fourth wave.

Daily cases in Osaka reached a record 1,208 on Thursday, driven by a virulent British virus strain. New infections rose to 729 in Tokyo, the most since early February when most of the country was in a state of emergency.

A senior ruling party official said Thursday that the cancellation of this year’s Olympics remains an option if the situation in the coronavirus is too dire. read more

A scaled-down torch relay is already underway. Overseas fans have been banned from the Games and officials believe domestic supporters may also be disregarded. read more

The quasi-state of emergency enables local governments to order pubs and restaurants to shorten their hours and impose fines on those who do not comply. In the course of the pandemic, a complete state of emergency was declared twice in Japan.

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