3 Japan prefectures looking to end coronavirus emergency early

Three Japanese prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo are set to ask the central government to lift a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic in the western areas at the end of the month, ahead of its end date on March 7, officials said Monday.The governors of the prefectures will hold an online meeting Tuesday with economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is leading the country's response to the pandemic.The governor of another prefecture, Aichi in central Japan, said he has already made a similar request with the central government.The state of emergency, Japan's …READ FULL ARTICLE