After surprising the entire world with lowest numbers of infections despite high exposure, Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe has finally declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding regions, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases surged in all major metropolitan areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Chiba.

The Japanese government’s one-month emergency period covers Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, and Fukuoka, places that have shown the highest confirmed cases of the Coronavirus.

However, the Japanese government cautioned, saying that prefectural governors may ask telework and stores to close down, and that people should avoid going out.

There is no legal enforcement, unlike in France where people may be fined for leaving their homes.

Many experts assert that it may be too little, too late, as this announcement came only after significant restriction on testing availability and severe pressure from the public and the medical community.

Given the high proportion of Japan’s population being that of the elderly, Japan is likely at even more vulnerable position. Japan plans to provide $1 trillion in stimulus package to keep the economy running in the meantime.

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