Japan's fresh state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic threatens to nip hopes for an economic recovery in the bud by further weakening consumption, economists have warned.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday declared a third state of emergency, effective from April 25 through May 11 in Tokyo as well as the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, in an effort to curb a surge in COVID-19 during the upcoming Golden Week holidays, usually one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
Under the declaration, local authorities will impose tougher restrictions, including the closure of establishments that serve alcohol, department stores and shopping malls.