Japan expands state of emergency as Covid-19 surge shadows Olympics

Japan decided on Friday to expand states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka, as Covid-19 cases spike in the capital and around the country, overshadowing the Summer Games.

Tokyo, already under its fourth state of emergency since the pandemic began, on Friday announced 3,300 new cases, after a record 3,865 the day before. The surge is beginning to strain the medical system, with 64% of Tokyo's hospital beds available for serious Covid-19 cases already filled as of mid-week.

The new emergency measures will be in effect from 2- 31 August, while existing states of emergency for Tokyo and southern Okinawa island will be extended to 31 August, said Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who announced the latest measures.

Japan has avoided a devastating Covid-19 outbreak, but is now struggling to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant, with daily cases nationwide topping 10,000 for the first time on Thursday, with 10,687 new cases.

Economy Minister Yasutoshi, who is spearheading Japan's Covid-19 response, said the rise in cases had not peaked.

"The situation is extremely severe," he told parliament.

Japan has imposed a series of "state of emergency" declarations, but the orders are mostly voluntary, unlike other countries which impose strict lockdowns.

Many people have grown weary of stay-home requests, with some bars refusing to adhere to service restrictions, and Japan's vaccination rollout lags.

Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said the country had entered a new "extremely frightening" stage as cases are spiking even though the movement of people was not increasing, and that the Delta variant was a big factor.

"I think that people cannot see ahead and, worrying how long this situation will last, they find it unbearable that they cannot return to normal daily life," he told the panel.

The surge in Covid-19 cases is bad news for Suga, whose support rates are already at their lowest since he took office last September and who faces a ruling party leadership race and general election later this year.

Suga and Olympics organisers have denied there is any link between the July 23-Aug. 8 Summer Games and the recent sharp spike in cases.

Unlike the voluntary restrictions and low vaccination rates elsewhere in Japan, the Olympic village in Tokyo for athletes and coaches boasts more than 80% vaccination, testing is compulsory and movement is stringently curtailed.

Athletes and other attendees from around the world must follow strict rules to prevent any spread of the virus within the "Olympic bubble" or to the wider city. Spectators are banned from most venues.

Organisers on Friday reported 27 new Games-related Covid-19 cases including three athletes, bringing the total since July 1 to 220.

But experts worry holding the Games has sent a confusing message to the public about the need to limit activities.

Less than 30% of residents of Japan are fully vaccinated. Nishimura repeated that all those who want to get vaccinated should be able to do so by October or November.