Business Standard

Japan PM Abe wants more social distancing

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AP Tokyo

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says more social distancing is still needed after he declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and other urban areas 10 days ago.

Abe expanded the monthlong state of emergency to all of Japan on Thursday in a bid to reduce movement of people ahead of golden week holidays. Abe says Tokyo set a record of 201 daily increase of cases for a total of almost 3,000, calling the situation severe.

He says social interactions were reduced by 60% in downtown Tokyo and 70% in Osaka but fell short of an 80% target needed to slow the spread to a manageable level.

 

Japan has about 9,900 cases and 160 deaths.

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First Published: Apr 17 2020 | 6:44 PM IST

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