Japan extends COVID-19 state of emergency for a month

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday announced a monthlong extension of its COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo and nine other prefectures, which was set to expire on February 7.

Among the 11 of Japan's 47 prefectures currently covered by the state of emergency, Tokyo and neighboring Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures will remain on the list, as well as Aichi, Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures, Suga said at a meeting of the government's COVID-19 task force.

Meanwhile, Tochigi Prefecture, located to the capital's north, will be removed from the emergency list, as COVID-19 cases have eased in the area.