Tourism and Investment in Japan

COVID-19 cases rise in Japan amid state of emergency, Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to be downsized The Japanese government has decided to add three prefectures to its state of emergency as coronavirus cases continue to rise.   Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on May 14 that he decided to expand a COVID-19 state of emergency covering Tokyo and other areas to three more prefectures as infections continue to surge ahead of the Summer Olympics.  Starting on May 15, it will cover Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima in an effort to curb infections and ease the strain on medical systems. The government will also designate three more prefectures as areas where intensive virus measures should be taken which is often called “Manbou”, acronym in Japanese for quasi-emergency to contain the virus.  Daily new cases have been on the rise nationwide in recent weeks reaching more than 6,000 for the fourth straight day as of May 14. The recent spike in new cases forces the organizers of the Tokyo Olym