The government is hurrying to compile numerical data that would aid in deciding whether to lift a portion of the declaration of a state of emergency as early as May 14.
"If at all possible, I'd like [to set the criteria] hopefully before May 14," Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said at a press conference on Thursday. "It is better to indicate a course of action as soon as possible."
As of Wednesday, 34 prefectures saw no new infections. Among them, 17 prefectures have had no new infections for the past week.
"If this situation continues, some regions may be excluded from the scope of the emergency declaration," Nishimura said.
With regard to the 13 prefectures on special alert and are intensively undertaking infectious countermeasures, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference, "The declaration can be lifted without waiting for its expiration."
Nishimura pointed out that the number of new infections in Gifu, Aichi and Ibaraki prefectures, which are all on special alert, is decreasing.
The government plans to compile numerical data based on the cumulative number of patients within the last 2-3 weeks, the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes, the medical service system including PCR testing, and the status of infection in neighboring municipalities.
Another interim assessment to lift the declaration is also expected to be conducted on May 21, following the one on May 14.
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