Japan to extend virus measures in Tokyo and other areas

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced plans to keep COVID-19 restrictions for Tokyo and 12 other areas for three more weeks until early March

TOKYO -- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced plans to keep COVID-19 restrictions for Tokyo and 12 other areas for three more weeks until early March, as omicron infections show little signs of slowing and most Japanese still lack booster shots.

The current measures covering Tokyo and neighboring areas, Aichi in central Japan and Nagasaki in the south were initially scheduled to end Sunday but will remain until March 6, Kishida said.

“The infections led by the omicron variant are different from those in the past, and we are at the critical moment of our fight against it," Kishida said. “In order to balance anti-virus measures and social and economic activity, I'm determined to tackle the situation promptly."

The cases are still expanding, although the pace is not as steep as weeks ago, he said.