Japan considers declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo and three neighboring provinces due to the heightened Covid-19 pressure on the health system.

Japanese television station Fuji today reported that the government is considering declaring an emergency for Tokyo and three neighboring provinces including Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba due to the rapid increase in Covid-19.

On December 31st, Japan recorded 4,520 cases of Covid-19 in a new wave of infections.

Restaurants and karaoke bars in the Tokyo area are being ordered to close at 8pm, while liquor businesses close at 7pm.

If announced, this will be the second time that a number of Japanese provinces have been faced with a state of emergency because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan's anti-epidemic mostly relies on voluntary shutdowns and travel restrictions rather than strict blockade measures like other in the world.