Japan lower house passes virus bill allowing Abe to declare emergency

The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would allow Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a state of emergency to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in Japan if needed.Following its passage through the more powerful of Japan's two chambers of parliament, the bill is set to clear the House of Councillors on Friday. Opposition lawmakers are supporting the bill to ramp up efforts to contain the virus, although criticizing Abe for his slow response to the outbreak.COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, has been spreading globally from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, leadi…READ FULL ARTICLE