Japan to bring back some COVID restrictions as U.S. troops blamed for surge in infections

Tokyo — Japan announced on Friday that it was bringing back COVID-19 restrictions in three states, or prefectures, as the country grapples with its sixth wave of coronavirus infections, spurred by the Omicron variant. The new "quasi-state of emergency" was to take effect on January 9 and last at least until the end of the month, primarily urging bars and restaurants to close early.

Local leaders in the affected regions are blaming American troops based in Japan for a huge spike in cases.

Thanks to some of the world's toughest border restrictions and near-universal mask use, Japan had managed to keep the Omicron variant under control and cases low. But over the last few days, infections have surged in areas that host American military bases, including Okinawa, as U.S. troops - who had been exempt from strict Japanese entry requirements — returned from vacations in the U.S.