Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared Tuesday a state of emergency for the central prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa. Suga declared a one-month emergency for these regions until Feb. 7.
Suga early Tuesday said he planned to declare a state of emergency for three western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo. These lockdowns are expected to be announced Wednesday.
In addition, the government this week plans to declare additional regional lockdowns affecting more than half the country's 127 million people as COVID-19 continues to spread faster than expected.
Daily COVID cases were 7,882 as of Jan. 8 - the highest. The rise in daily numbers has brought Japan's cumulative confirmed cases to 287,000 as of Monday. Japan has recorded more than 4,000 deaths since January 2020.
COVID cases have risen following year-end and new year holidays as a result of increased travel.
Some residents in affected prefectures are unhappy. Economy Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi asked citizens to "refrain from going out not only at night but also during the day."
Nishimura said there had been no decrease in daytime outings over the three-day holiday this past weekend - even under the state of emergency in the four prefectures.
Lockdowns will mean about half of Japan's population will be under a state of emergency within the month.
Government spokesman Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, however, must still confirm if Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo will see travel restrictions. He said the government intends to "swiftly" consider these measures.
Suga is concerned about the damage the lockdowns will inflict on the country's services sector - especially its thousands of restaurants. In an effort to ease the effects the government is asking bars and restaurants to close by 8 p.m.
Finance Minister Taro Aso Taro said Tuesday the government will offer one-time payouts of up to $3,835 to businesses supporting restaurants and bars that comply with shortened hours. Restaurants will see maximum compensation rise by 50%.
