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Japan PM Abe declares state of emergency over virus

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday declared a month-long state of emergency in Tokyo and six other parts of the country over a spike in coronavirus cases.

A visitor wearing a face mask, amid concerns of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, stands in front of a closed cherry blossom viewing area at Ueno park in Tokyo on March 30. Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures have been placed under a state of emergency to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

"As I decided that a situation feared to gravely affect people's lives and the economy has occurred… I am declaring a state of emergency," Abe said.

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The measure falls short of the strict lockdowns seen in other parts of the world but empowers local governors to urge people to stay inside and to call for businesses to close.

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