The state of emergency over the novel coronavirus could be lifted early in some areas of Japan that have seen declines in new infections, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Thursday. The minister told reporters it was possible the emergency would be removed for some areas around May 14.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday extended a nationwide state of emergency to May 31, saying the infection rate had yet to drop enough to justify ending measures.

Japan’s capital of Tokyo reported 38 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, marking a fifth straight day of declining numbers of new infections, Reuters said, citing media reports.

Source: RT