Social distancing curbs were removed for most of the country on May 14 as new infections fell, but the government had kept Tokyo and four other prefectures under watch
Abe wants Japanese companies to build 2,000 ventilators to add to an unused stock of 4,700 already in hospitals
From Russia and Brazil becoming new epicentres, Hong Kong seeing new infections after 24-day clean sheet, and Chinese merchants taking to livestreaming - read these and more in today's world dispatch
A government campaign to raise awareness seems to be helping, at least for medical workers
The PMI for South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy and a global manufacturing powerhouse, skidded to 41.6 in April, the lowest reading since January 2009
coronavirus pandemic may not be fully contained around the world by then
The 34 prefectures that aren't designated as "special alert" will see a partial easing of restriction requests once the spread of the virus comes under better control Economy Minister Yasutoshi said
Firm says will apply to Indian pharma authorities to start studies
China is seeing a demand recovery in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Countries, like South Korea and Japan, have also placed quotes for importing petroleum products from India amid lockdown
The declaration allows regional governors to urge people to stay indoors, but with no punitive measures or legal force, the measure is far weaker than strict lockdowns seen in other parts of the world
SoftBank will donate two different kinds of mask, initially for medical staff, in cooperation with the Japanese government's "mask team", set up to tackle shortages due to the coronavirus outbreak
The number of coronavirus cases in Japan rose to 5,548 on Thursday, with 108 deaths
Japan recorded 503 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday - its biggest daily increase since the start of the pandemic
"Currently, we are seeing rapid increases of new infections particularly in urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka," said Abe
Abe said the "huge, powerful" measures will include fiscal stimulus, monetary steps and tax breaks for companies, though the details have not been finalized.
The Tokyo Shimbun headlined its coverage "surprise and embarrassment", but conceded in an article that the situation left organisers and Olympic officials with few options
As coronavirus is tightening its grip across the world, with nearly 250,000 positive cases and over 10,000 deaths - here are certain tidbits that you need to know about the virus outbreak.
Below are the financial and economic factors at risk
2020 Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August, 2020, in Japan.
The Sankei newspaper reported Japan's ruling coalition was considering an economic package worth more than 30 trillion yen ($276 billion) to deal with the virus fallout.