Japan virus state of emergency to end on Thursday

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the coronavirus state of emergency would end on Thursday so the economy could be reactivated as infections slow.

The government would create more temporary COVID-19 treatment facilities and continue vaccinations to prepare for any future resurgence. Government officials were also instituting other plans, such as vaccine passports and virus tests.

With the lifting, Japan will be free of emergency requirements for the first time in more than six months.  Japan's current state of emergency, declared in April, was repeatedly extended and expanded.