TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures to ramp up defenses against the spread of the coronavirus.
Abe said Tuesday that there would be no European-style lockdowns.
The state of emergency will permit Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and heads of six other designated cities and prefectures to do more to reinforce calls for social distancing.
Virtually all of those measures will be requests that cannot be enforced with penalties for violations.
Abe also announced a 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) stimulus package to fund the coronavirus measures and help counter the economic impact from the pandemic, including cash payouts to households in need and financial support to protect businesses and jobs.