Japan readies 'state of emergency' coronavirus measures

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (second from right) speaks during a meeting between members of the government and the ruling party at office in Tokyo on March 10, 2020. - AFP

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's government Tuesday approved draft "state of emergency" measures that would allow authorities to keep people inside and commandeer buildings for hospitals, as Tokyo steps up its fight against coronavirus five months before the Olympics.

If approved by parliament, the draft bill would give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the power to declare a state of emergency and impose drastic measures but Tokyo stressed that the situation had not yet reached that point.