Japan ends coronavirus state of emergency - Foreign Affairs

Japanese president lifts state of emergency, following seven weeks of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Japan ended its coronavirus state of emergency Monday, following seven weeks of economic restrictions across much of the country.

Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe announced the lifting of the coronavirus-related restrictions in Tokyo and four other prefectures Monday, touting his country’s success in combating the pandemic.

"We have managed to bring the outbreak under control within just one and a half months. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the Japan model," Abe said, according to The Nikkei.

"The conditions the government has set for lifting the restrictions are tough even by international standards. We have concluded that all the prefectures have met those conditions."

Japan suffered 800 coronavirus-related fatalities since the pandemic was first detected, with a total of 16,000 confirmed coronavirus infections. By comparison, Japan, with a population of 126 million, has suffered far fewer fatalities than the US, with a population of 328 million, where some 97,000 people have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Unlike the US, Japan never imposed a comprehensive lockdown.

Instead, the government declared a national emergency on April 7th, with voluntary closures, rather than mandatory lockdowns.

Last Friday, Tokyo announced the gradual reopening of public spaces in a three-state plan, slowly returning the city to normal activity.