On May 21, 2020, the Japanese government announced that it is lifting the state of emergency in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo. The largely voluntary measures under the state of emergency will remain in place with respect to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures (Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa), as well as Hokkaido. The state of emergency with respect to these five prefectures is slated to run through May 31. Based on a comprehensive review of the spread of infections, the medical supply system and the monitoring system for infections (including the number of PCR tests available), the declaration of emergency in the remaining five prefectures may be lifted at the end of the month.
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