People in face masks cross a near-empty street after the government announced a state of emergency for the capital and some prefectures following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan April 16, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
ANKARA: Japan on Thursday decided to declare a nationwide state of emergency amid the coronavirus pandemic, local media reported.
According to Kyodo News, a government official said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided to extend the state of emergency to the whole country to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
On April 7, the Abe-led government imposed an emergency in seven provinces, including the capital Tokyo.
