Japan fully drops COVID state of emergency for 1st time in 6 months
CBSN
Tokyo — Japan has fully dropped its coronavirus state of emergency for the first time in more than six months as the country starts to gradually ease anti-virus measures to help rejuvenate the pandemic-hit economy as the infections slowed. At Tokyo's busy Shinagawa train station, a sea of mask-wearing commuters rushed to work despite an approaching typhoon, with some returning to their offices for the first time after months of remote work. The emergency measures, in place for more than half of the country including Tokyo, ended on Thursday following a steady fall in new caseloads over the past few weeks, helping to ease pressure on Japanese health care systems.
Outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga thanked the people for their patience and cooperation, and asked them to stick to their basic anti-virus measures.
"Once again, I seek your cooperation so that we can return to our daily lives feeling safe," he said.
