Prognosis
Japan Eyes Tighter Virus Steps as Severe Cases in Tokyo Jump
- Tokyo posts a 24% increase in serious cases overnight
- Tokyo to use severe cases as metric for new restrictions
Restaurants in Shinjuku on Nov. 19. Regional authorities have been pushing ahead with steps to contain the surge in their local areas.
Photographer: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
As Japan returned to work Tuesday following a holiday weekend, regional and national authorities moved toward boosting restrictions designed to contain the spread of a coronavirus surge.
A campaign to spur domestic travel, which some have blamed for spreading infections, will be partly suspended. The metropolitan region of Osaka, where cases have spiked, plans to ask bars and restaurants to close early, while Tokyo was reported to be making plans for similar steps as serious cases jumped to a new high in the city.