Suga on Japan state of emergency extension

Japan announced Thursday it is extending a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and 18 other areas until the end of September.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said serious cases remain high and are still overwhelming many hospitals. He called on the people to continue to work remotely and practice other social distancing measures. The extension will cover a period when Japan's government is in transition.

Suga has announced that he will not run in a Sept. 29 race for his party's leadership, and his successor in that race will likely become the next prime minister. Japan has reported about 1.65 million cases and 16,500 deaths.