Japan Declares Quasi-State of Emergency in 3 Prefectures Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Japan Declares Quasi-State of Emergency in 3 Prefectures Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases
Fumio Kishida, Japan's new prime minister, speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2021. Toru Hanai/Pool/Getty Images
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided to place Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima under a quasi-state of emergency from Sunday until Jan. 31, amid a surge in the country’s coronavirus cases spurred by the Omicron infections in U.S. military bases.

Under the quasi-state of emergency, governors are allowed to impose stringent measures in the specified prefectures, such as shortening business hours and restricting the serving of alcohol in the prefectures.

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