Japan issues third state of emergency in Tokyo

Japan is issuing its third state of emergency in Tokyo due to the coronavirus just months before the Olympics are supposed to begin in the city.

The emergency declaration was announced on Friday and is for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, The Associated Press reported.

The state of emergency will last from April 25 to May 11, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.

Both Tokyo and Osaka’s governors asked for Suga to declare a state of emergency this week as both areas struggle to get the virus under control, especially with a more contagious variant first noticed in the United Kingdom flooding the streets.

However, this lockdown is going to be different than the last two in Japan, with more mandatory restrictions.

Many businesses are being asked to shut down or close early and universities are being told to go back to online classes. Wearing a mask and remaining at home in general will still not be mandatory requirements.

Suga said this lockdown is to keep people from traveling during Japan’s “Golden Week” holiday and is intended to be a “short” measure.

Japan has had almost 500,000 reported coronavirus cases and almost 10,000 deaths.

Suga has come under some criticism, the AP noted, for caring more about the Olympics than safety.

The prime minister said on Tuesday when the governors requested the lockdown that it will not affect the start date of the Olympics.