COVID-19: Japan set to expand state of emergency as Delta variant wreaks havoc

"The most important task is to beef up the medical system," Japan's Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.

TOKYO: Japan is set to expand a state of emergency to eight more prefectures, taking the total to 21, the minister in charge of coronavirus countermeasures said on Wednesday, as a surge in COVID-19 cases overwhelms its hospitals. Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said the expansion, which would cover almost half the country`s 47 prefectures, was approved by a panel of external experts. It is expected to be formally approved at a government task force meeting later on Wednesday. "The most important task is to beef up the medical system," Nishimura said, adding that securing oxygen stations and nurses were among the priorities.