Japan on Friday has expanded a COVID state of emergency to four other areas in addition to Tokyo on following record spikes in infections.

The latest restrictions are imposed when the Japanese capital—Tokyo hosts the Olympics.
Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared an emergency in Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba, near Tokyo, as well as in the western city of Osaka, effective Monday until August 31.
Five areas, including Hokkaido, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka, will be placed under less-stringent emergency restrictions.
As per the new directives, emergency measures already in place in Tokyo and the southern island of Okinawa will be extended until the end of August, after the Olympics and well into the Paralympics which start August 24.
The increase in cases in Tokyo despite more than two weeks of emergency measures is hovering doubts that they can successfully slow infections.
Tokyo has reported a record increase in cases for three days in a row, including 3,865 on Thursday, before logging another 3,300 on Friday.
The cases have doubled since last week, although officials say the surge is unrelated to the Olympics.
Japan has kept its cases and deaths lower than many other countries, but its seven-day rolling average is growing and now stands at 28 per 100,000 people nationwide and 88 per 100,000 in Tokyo, according to the Health Ministry.
Nationwide, Japan reported 10,687 cases Thursday, exceeding 10,000 for the first time.
It has recorded 15,166 fatalities from COVID-19, including 2,288 in Tokyo since the pandemic began.
As of Thursday, 27 per cent of the Japanese population has been fully vaccinated.
The percentage of the elderly who are fully vaccinated is 71.5 per cent.

Pakistan voices support for Iran's inherent right to self-defence
- 13 hours ago
Pakistan condemns US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
- an hour ago

Sources: Draft prospect Bailey cancels 76ers visit
- 9 hours ago
Jihad declaration sole authority of state: DG ISPR
- 41 minutes ago

Teaser of much awaited drama ‘Mein Manto Nahi Hoon’ released
- 20 hours ago

Panthers within one win of a Cup repeat: Grades for both teams, look ahead to Game 6
- 9 hours ago
Pakistan, Turkiye reiterate support for Iran sovereignty, its right to self-defence
- 14 hours ago

Spotify’s HiFi lossless streaming might really, finally, actually be coming soon
- 10 hours ago
Iran vows full-force resistance against US strikes
- 28 minutes ago

Hill or Rountree: Which fighter has the best UFC knockout?
- 9 hours ago
New Zealand overpower Pakistan to clinch FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup title
- 13 hours ago
Trump says US 'obliterated' Iran nuclear sites, warns of more strikes
- an hour ago