People wearing face masks walk across an intersection in the famed Ginza shopping area on a rainy day in Tokyo on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk around in the famed Asakusa shopping area on a rainy day in Tokyo on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
Tokyo 2020 Games Delivery Officer Hidemasa Nakamura speaks during a press conference after a roundtable on COVID-19 countermeasures at Tokyo 2020 Games in Tokyo Friday, May 28, 2021. A group of experts participated in a second roundtable on COVID-19 countermeasures proposed for implementation at the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, center, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, left, and Finance Minister Taro Aso sit before attending a cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Friday, May 28, 2021. Japan is set to extend a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas with infections not yet slowing to levels it can safely host the Olympics opening in just over 50 days.
Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR) director Tomoya Saito attends a press conference after a roundtable on COVID-19 countermeasures at Tokyo 2020 Games in Tokyo Friday, May 28, 2021. A group of experts participated in a second roundtable on COVID-19 countermeasures proposed for implementation at the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, right, attends the government task force meeting for the COVID-19 measures at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo Friday, May 28, 2021. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections not yet slowing to levels that would allow it to safely host the Olympics, which open in just over 50 days.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during the government task force meeting for the COVID-19 measures at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo Friday, May 28, 2021. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections not yet slowing to levels that would allow it to safely host the Olympics, which open in just over 50 days.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence Friday, May 28, 2021, in Tokyo. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga bows after a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence Friday, May 28, 2021, in Tokyo. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence Friday, May 28, 2021, in Tokyo. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, right, speaks during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence Friday, May 28, 2021, in Tokyo. Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) — Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days.
Cases remain high and medical systems in Osaka, the hardest-hit area in western Japan, are still overburdened, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in announcing the decision.
“I am aware that many people are voicing concern about holding the Olympics and Paralympics,” he said. “I take them seriously, and I will proceed with preparations for a safe and secure games.”
He said the next three weeks are “an extremely important time for us to achieve results” in a two-pronged battle to control infections while expanding vaccinations.
The current state of emergency in the capital and eight other metropolitan areas was to end next Monday, but hospitals in some areas are still overflowing with COVID-19 patients and serious cases have recently hit new highs.
The 20-day extension covers nine areas ranging from Hokkaido in the north to Fukuoka in the south. A 10th area, the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, is already under emergency status through June 20.
Olympic organizers must decide at about that time whether to allow any fans at all, after overseas spectators were banned months ago. A plan to prioritize vaccinations for Japanese athletes is expected to begin around then, according to media reports.
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