Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded the declaration of a state of emergency to all 47 prefectures in Japan, up from the original seven including Tokyo.
The state of emergency will be in effect through May 6, the same period as for the prefectures already affected. The government deemed it was necessary to curb the spread of the disease across the country.
Prior to issuing the nationwide declaration, Abe consulted with an advisory committee of experts on whether it could be appropriate to deem that all Japan's prefectures are in a state of emergency.
The declaration is based on the revised law on special measures to deal with new strains of influenza, and was issued to the initial seven prefectures on April 7.
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