Japan approaching end of Covid emergency, says Health Minister

Japan’s Covid-19 infection situation is improving to the point that most of the country’s emergency declarations might be withdrawn shortly, according to the country’s health minister on Friday.

Hospitalization rates and patient bed availability will play a role in determining if the state of emergency that has engulfed Tokyo and most of the country will be removed by the end of this month, according to health minister Norihisa Tamura.

“After hearing the opinions of experts, the Cabinet will make a final decision,” he said. The infectious Delta variant sparked a fifth wave of Covid-19 in Japan that drove infections to record levels last month. To prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, the
government extended emergency restrictions covering about 80% of the population until the end of September.