Japan is set to lift a state of emergency in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo later this week as the number of new coronavirus infections in each of the three prefectures has remained low, while the emergency declaration will be kept intact for the Tokyo area and Hokkaido, government officials said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make a final decision on Thursday after hearing from health experts, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The government has assessed that the three Kansai prefectures have also secured enough hospital beds and testing capacity.