The Tokyo region is halfway through its second state of emergency, with officials set to examine the effectiveness of the measure in the coming week.

Experts will look to determine if the country can quickly return to normal like it did following a similar emergency last spring, or risk being dragged into a lengthy and punishing battle against the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared the emergency for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures on Jan. 7, which included requests for residents to avoid going out after 8 p.m. and for bars and restaurants to close at that time, to address an alarming surge in cases. While the areas under the emergency, set to run until Feb. 7, were already extended to include more prefectures including Osaka and Aichi, there are chances it may be extended further and the areas under its purview broadened yet again.