Japan declares third Covid state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas

A woman wearing a protective mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walks at a park in Tokyo (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

Japan has declared a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three western prefectures amid scepticism it will be enough to curb a rapid coronavirus resurgence ahead of the Olympics in July.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo from April 25 through until May 11.