Japan to declare 'short, powerful' emergency in Tokyo, elsewhere

Passersby wearing protective masks stroll through Kabukicho entertainment district during the Covid-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan

* Emergency state sought from April 25-May 11 * Curbs cover almost a quarter of Japan's population * PM Suga to announce at 1100 GMT news conference Japan will declare ‘short and powerful’ states of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures on Friday as the country struggles to contain a resurgent pandemic just three months ahead of the Olympics. Under a new state of emergency for April 25 to May 11, the government will require restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlours serving alcohol to close, and big sporting events to be held without spectators, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said. Breaching the restrictions will in some cases carry penalties under a recently revised law, he said.