Japan faces longer condition of emergency, casting doubt on Olympics

The Japanese government is considering extending a coronavirus spurred state of emergency in Tokyo and other significant urban areas, a maneuver that could cast doubt on the planned Summer Olympics.

Officials were leaning toward an extension of the measures found in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures beyond May 11 as the united states battles a surge found in COVID-19 situations, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Wednesday (May 5).

Extending the measures, that have been imposed on April 25, may likely fan persistent worries about if the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to get started on Jul 23, could be held as planned.

The games have been completely delayed once from last year due to the pandemic. The city of Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, hosted a half-marathon test event on Wednesday.

Japanese Primary Minister Yoshihide Suga will talk with senior government ministers on Wednesday to discuss an extension, the Yomiuri reported without citing sources. The Yomiuri didn't detail how prolonged an extension may be, however the governor of Osaka Prefecture explained an extension of three weeks to per month may be necessary, according to domestic media.

Cell phone calls by Reuters to Suga's office were not answered. Japan's federal government buildings and financial markets were closed on Wednesday for gross annual Golden Week holidays.

Beneath the state of crisis in Tokyo and other cities, the federal government required restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlours serving alcohol to close. Large shops and cinemas were as well shuttered, while spectators had been banned from big sports.

It was uncertain if the government will loosen any of the operating restrictions in the services sector, the Yomiuri said.