Japan's private broadcaster news network JNN reported on the 20th that the Japanese government is considering a plan to completely lift the state of emergency imposed on 19 prefectures by the end of this month.
The deadline for issuing a state of emergency for COVID-19, which aims to curb floating populations applied to 19 metropolitan governments including Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture, is until the 31st of this month.
According to JNN, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will make a final decision on whether to lift the state of emergency after returning from a visit to the United States later this week.
An official from the Japanese government said, "We are discussing whether to remove the COVID-19 completely or implement it as a 'primary measure such as prevention of spread' (the stage before the state of emergency) as the number of new cases of COVID-19 has decreased nationwide."
The number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases across Japan yesterday was 3,401, which has decreased to 3,000 for the first time in two months since July 24 (3,574).
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)