Japan's COVID-19 State of Emergency Expected to Extend... Increased Concerns Over Tokyo Olympics Cancellation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Japan continues to rise, there are growing concerns that the state of emergency will be extended and that the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics is becoming increasingly uncertain.

According to local public broadcaster NHK on the 24th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan was confirmed to be 4,717 the previous day. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Japan has increased to 362,445. The number of deaths increased by 83 to 5,077.

The number of new confirmed cases decreased by 2,293 (32.7%) compared to a week ago. However, the increase in cases over the past week was 36,962, indicating that infections are still spreading rapidly compared to before the state of emergency was declared on the 8th of this month.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (菅義偉) had planned to issue the state of emergency for one month and end it on the 7th of next month, but given the recent situation, it is expected that the state of emergency will inevitably be extended. It is explained that to lift the state of emergency, the number of new daily confirmed cases must be at the level of 300 to 500.

Meanwhile, there is also analysis that the feasibility of the Tokyo Olympics, with the opening ceremony just six months away, is decreasing.