Japan to impose tougher COVID-19 restrictions in 5 more prefectures

SAPPORO - The Japanese government plans to impose tougher restrictions under a quasi-state of emergency in five more prefectures amid growing calls for quicker response to an increasing number of infections caused by highly contagious variants of the coronavirus, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.The measures, expected to include telling restaurants to close early, will be in place from Sunday through June 13 in some municipalities in Gunma, Ishikawa, Okayama, Hiroshima and Kumamoto, the sources said.The prefectures will be added to eight areas currently under a quasi-state of …READ FULL ARTICLE