Japan extends state of emergency in six places to May 31 over COVID-19

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday the government is extending the state of emergency over COVID-19 in Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Aichi and Fukuoka until the end of May.

Under the more stringent restrictions in place since April 25, restaurants in the six places have been urged not to serve alcohol and close by 8 p.m.

The emergency state was initially set to be eased next Tuesday.