Japan to announce Monday extension of state of health emergency to contain coronavirus epidemic, NHK public television reported on Friday after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was difficult for the country to return to normal life. If Japan has recorded fewer infections and deaths than the main global sources of contamination, the government continues to call for caution and called on the Japanese population to continue to confine themselves and maintain social distancing.
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According to NHK, which does not cite its sources, Tokyo will decide Monday to extend the state of health emergency currently in force until May 6. A meeting is planned for that day between members of the government and health experts. The extension is expected to last one month, sources told Reuters.