Japan moves closer to declaring virus emergency in Tokyo, Osaka

Tokyo is looking to have a state of emergency in place from April 29 through May 9, to coincide with a string of public holidays known as 'Golden Week'. - AP

TOKYO (Bloomberg): Tokyo and Osaka will ask the Japanese government to declare a state of emergency, looking to ramp up restrictions to contain a surge in coronavirus cases just three months before the start of the delayed Olympics.

Infections are spreading in the capital and swift action is needed, with the medical system under strain in some areas, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters. Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said he’ll seek the declaration to stem record infections in the country’s second-biggest metropolis.