Japan to extend COVID-19 state of emergency to June 20: official

The Japanese government plans to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency set to expire at the end of May in Tokyo and eight prefectures to June 20, a senior official said Thursday, as the decline in infections has slowed and hospitals remain under strain.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the government will consult with an expert panel on Friday regarding the decision, which will also apply to Hokkaido, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.The expected extension comes with less than two months until the Tokyo Olympics kick off, casting further doubt over whether the ga…READ FULL ARTICLE