Tokyo to Seek an Extension of Virus Emergency, Nikkei Says

(Bloomberg) -- Tokyo plans to ask the Japanese government to extend the Covid-19 state of emergency that is due to expire this weekend, the Nikkei reported, citing multiple unidentified people.

The metropolitan government is considering asking for about a two-week extension beyond March 7 and will discuss the plan with the prefectures that surround Tokyo on Wednesday, the report from late Tuesday said.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga imposed a state of emergency for Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures in early January as cases hit a record high of 2,520 in the capital on Jan. 7. While cases have dropped since then -- falling to 121 on March 1, the lowest since November -- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike cautioned on Tuesday that a recent slowing of the pace of decline cast doubt on the ability to lift the emergency.

Suga, who has often appeared to be at odds with Koike over virus policy, emphasized late on Tuesday that he would make the final decision on any extension, after consulting with experts and examining the data. A decision could come as early as Friday, Kyodo News reported.

The January virus emergency was later expanded to 11 regions that accounted for about 60% of the economy and included all major metro areas. By this week, only the Tokyo region was still on the list, underscoring progress against a Covid-19 surge that has battered the economy and Suga’s approval rating.

Under the emergency, local governments have instructed bars and restaurants to close at 8 p.m., and advised people to avoid going out unnecessarily. The measures, while limited, have helped much of the country bring infections under control, but have proved damaging for many retail and restaurant businesses.

Prior to the emergency, Japan saw double-digit growth in the final quarter of 2020, indicating it may have potential for a relatively strong recovery once the emergency ends. Suga has tried to move the economy forward while keeping cases in check to appease a public that opinion surveys see him as being slow in imposing measures to stem infections.

Japan, which is set to host the Olympics in Tokyo from July, has also posted the fewest confirmed Covid-19 infections of all the Group of Seven leading economies but has been a laggard in vaccinations, only beginning its program to deliver shots in February.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.