Japan will imminently declare a state of emergency in a bid to prevent coronavirus spreading throughout the country, according to local media, after Covid-19 infections in Tokyo jumped over the weekend.
More than 1,000 coronavirus cases have now been recorded in the capital, with case numbers nationwide topping 3,650. At least 85 people have died.
In response to the escalating number of infections, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to announce his plan for the emergency later on Monday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, while Kyodo news agency said new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.
A state of emergency declaration would give governors authority to call on people to stay at home and businesses to close, but not to order the kind of lockdowns seen in other countries.
In most cases, there are no penalties for ignoring requests, and enforcement will rely more on peer pressure and respect for authority.
The government is said to be likely to impose the emergency in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area and possibly also in the Osaka and Hyogo prefectures in western Japan.
Domestic broadcaster TBS said the government was weighing imposing the measure for a period of six months.
The declaration could meanwhile go into effect as Japan's biggest-ever stimulus package is rolled out.
Worth 60 trillion yen ($550 billion), the package is expected to be announced this week and is aimed at softening the blow of the Covid-19 crisis on an economy already struggling to avoid a recession.
The reportedly imminent measures come after pressure has been mounting on the government to take steps to curtail the coronavirus outbreak.
Abe had voiced concern about being too hasty, however, given the restrictions on movement and businesses that would ensue.
The Prime Minister must seek formal advice from a panel of experts before deciding to go ahead and declare a state of emergency.
While Japan’s coronavirus epidemic is dwarfed by outbreaks of Covid-19 seen in parts of Europe, the United States and China, experts worry a sudden surge could overwhelm the country's medical system.
Governors in Tokyo and elsewhere have asked citizens to stay home on weekends, avoid crowds and evening outings, and work from home.
That has had some effect on preventing coronavirus from spreading, but not as much as many experts said was needed.
