Japan's Diet passes emergency coronavirus law

Japan's Diet on Friday passed a bill that will allow the prime minister to declare a state of emergency to tackle the new coronavirus outbreak, according to HNK news.

The bill, which amends a 2012 law drawn up after a flu epidemic in 2009, was approved by upper house lawmakers after the lower house passed the legislation on Thursday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would have to declare a state of emergency in order to use the new powers.

Abe has requested schools to close and organizers of events to cancel large gatherings but so far has not had the power to make them comply.

Japan has registered nearly 1,400 confirmed cases so far including those from the Princess Diamond cruise ship, and 26 have died so far.

(With input from Reuters)