Japan Declares The State of Emergency in Tokyo, Two Weeks Before The Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo Thursday, July 8, in preparation for the Olympics scheduled to begin in two weeks.

The declared state of emergency will continue until the end of the Olympic Games, due to fears that the organization will lead to an increase in Corona injuries in the Japanese capital.

The state of emergency is scheduled to enter into force next Monday and will last until August 22, marking the fourth time that Tokyo has declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 virus.

Olympic organizers will also ban spectators from attending the games, which run from July 23 to August 8.

Japanese Health Minister Norihisa Tamura stated that the government will ban the serving of alcoholic drinks in restaurants and bars during the emergency period, and residents in the capital will be required to stay at home and watch games in their homes.