Japan to extend virus emergency in Tokyo weeks before Olympics open

People wearing masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk in front of a screen showing the news on U.S. warning against visits to Japan Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Tokyo. U.S. health officials and the State Department on Monday warned Americans against travel to Japan because of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, which is preparing to host the Olympics in just two months. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan is set to extend a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas with infections not yet slowing to levels at which it can safely host the Olympics opening in just over 50 days.

The extension is needed as people are increasingly roaming in public, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, when they should be doing the opposite, and it is feared that lifting the emergency would cause an instant rebound in infections, economy revitalisation minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.