Japan’s government is set to approve a month-long extension of its coronavirus state of emergency on February 2, less than six months before the pandemic-postponed Olympic Games open in Tokyo. An official announcement is expected later in the day, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga scheduled to hold an evening press conference.The extension has been widely trailed by local media and officials, with government spokesman Katsunobu Kato telling reporters February 2 morning that “it is our understanding that continued vigilance is warranted for a while”. Eleven of Japan’s prefectures, including the greater Tokyo area, are currently under a state of emergency that runs until February 7.

Japan’s government is set to approve a month-long extension of its coronavirus state of emergency on February 2, less than six months before the pandemic-postponed Olympic Games open in Tokyo. An official announcement is expected later in the day, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga scheduled to hold an evening press conference.The extension has been widely trailed by local media and officials, with government spokesman Katsunobu Kato telling reporters February 2 morning that “it is our understanding that continued vigilance is warranted for a while”. Eleven of Japan’s prefectures, including the greater Tokyo area, are currently under a state of emergency that runs until February 7.