Japan to lift COVID-19 state of emergency in 6 prefectures

Japan will lift the state of emergency in six prefectures, namely Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka, at the end of this month, ahead of its scheduled end date on March 7, the government announced on Friday.

The declaration over the coronavirus pandemic will be maintained in the Greater Tokyo area, the authorities said.