Japan to extend state of emergency to entire country over coronavirus pandemic

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to declare a nationwide state of emergency in an attempt to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus, a government official said Thursday.

The government had been considering expanding of the state of emergency, currently covering Tokyo, Osaka and five prefectures, to also include Kyoto, Aichi and Hokkaido. But instead, it will likely be extended nationwide due to a rise in infections in other parts of Japan.