The reactions are divided. Some think that the declaration is too late, some think that it is inevitable and hurtful, yet it might salvage their lives which are more important than the economy.

According to Tokyo officials, on December 31, last year, Mrs. Koike consulted with the three governors to jointly make a "request for a state of emergency to the government."

Prime Minister Suga expressed his intention to consider issuing a state of emergency based on the Special Measures Law.

Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures are close, so if Tokyo decides so, they have to follow suit.

Department stores and supermarkets have quietly started the New Year's sales season earlier than usual.

He just wants to solve the pandemic, and hopefully serve Japan well.

It is hard to flatten the curve, projected to worsen after the New Year holiday.

Iwakura City, Aichi Prefecture as a countermeasure against new coronavirus infection.

17 nursery teachers retired at Wakuya Nursery School in Wakuya Town, Miyagi Prefecture due to power harassment by the president of the social welfare corporation.

Some called it too late.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided to raise the alert level of the medical care provision system in Tokyo to the most serious of the four stages.

The responsibility of the Suga administration, which has continued its business, ignoring the voices of experts calling for the cancellation, is extremely heavy.