Japan extends Covid-19 state of emergency in Tokyo area, PM apologises

The PM said he would offer as much support for businesses as possible

Japan extended a state of emergency in the Tokyo area by two weeks on Friday to try to combat COVID-19, prompting a “heartfelt apology” by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The state of emergency had been set to end on March 7. But 4-1/2 months before Tokyo is due to host the Olympic Games, Suga said there was a need for caution because of the threat from new coronavirus variants and the possibility of cases rising again.

“I am deeply sorry at not being able to lift the state of emergency by the previously-promised March 7. I offer my heartfelt apology,” Suga told