Japan Looks to Extend Tokyo Area Virus Emergency by Two Weeks
- Suga will consult with experts before making a decision
- Pace of decline in cases slowing despite early success
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Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the virus emergency in the Tokyo region now set to expire on March 7 may need to be extended for another two weeks, as he seeks to further rein in the pace of infections.
Suga told reporters Wednesday a final decision would be made after consulting with experts and local leaders. The announcement comes as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and the leaders of the three most-populous prefectures adjacent to the capital were pressing for a two-week extension to stem infections that have fallen, but not as fast as some officials had hoped.