Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday expanded the country’s state of emergency to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka, making the order effective in 11 of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
The state of emergency, initially issued on Friday for Tokyo as well as neighboring Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures, is set to expire on Feb. 7.
“It’s undeniable that many new infections can be attributed to youth who unwittingly became infected and carried the virus to those who are more vulnerable,” Suga said during a news conference Wednesday. “A state of emergency is a strong measure that in many ways limits personal freedoms, but one that is necessary if the virus is to be contained.”
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