Japan set to remove most COVID restrictions as new infections ebb

FILE PHOTO: Passengers wearing protective face masks are seen inside a train, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan February 9, 2022. Picture taken with slow shutter speed. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is set to announce on Wednesday the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Tokyo and other prefectures as a wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant continues to ebb.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. GMT, when he is expected to announce the lifting of curbs on March 21, along with a further easing of border measures, local media reported.