[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] On the 1st, 266 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Japan. The number has remained below 300 for six consecutive days since the 26th of last month.
According to NHK's tally on the 2nd, 266 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide, including 165 in Tokyo and 23 in Hokkaido. The cumulative number of confirmed cases, including passengers of the cruise ship "Diamond Princess," where a cluster infection was confirmed in February, stands at 15,283. By prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis has the highest number with 4,317 cases (28%). This is followed by Osaka Prefecture with 1,639 cases, Kanagawa Prefecture with 1,038, Saitama Prefecture with 865, Chiba Prefecture with 841, and Hokkaido with 790. The number of COVID-19 related deaths increased by 26, reaching a total of 494.
The Japanese government is considering extending the current state of emergency, which is scheduled to last until the 6th, by about one month. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to decide and announce the specific extension period on the 4th. Previously, on the 7th of last month, Japan expanded the COVID-19 state of emergency, initially declared for seven metropolitan areas including Tokyo, to cover the entire country.
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