Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would review the state of emergency over the coronavirus epidemic on May 4, and was leaning towards extending it by roughly a month.

"After receiving this report from the panel of experts, I asked Minister Nishimura to use extending the current framework of the state of emergency by about one month as the base scenario for swiftly drafting plans that will fit the needs of the regions," Abe said. 

An expert panel advising the government is reviewing the situation in different parts of the country, he added. 

"We will listen to their opinions and we hope to make a decision on May 4th."

Abe said Japan had so far managed to avoid the sharp increase in infections seen in some other parts of the world, but cautioned that vigilance was still needed. 

"The view of experts is that we will continue to need cooperation of the Japanese people for the foreseeable future."

The medical situation remained tough and further cooperation by citizens was needed, he said, adding that the final decision would depend on the situation in different regions of the country.

Japan's social-distancing efforts are slowing infections but not enough to stave off further spread of the coronavirus, a government minister said Friday, adding that experts are recommending the state of emergency remain in place.

"If we relax the measures with insufficient decrease, infections will immediately bounce back and our effort so far will entirely go to waste," Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said after meeting with experts on a government-commissioned task force. "The experts recommended that the current measures should be kept in place."

The state of emergency is voluntary and only requests social distancing and remote work rather than orders actions be taken. Health experts worry the lack of urgency in the message doesn't reflect the serious risks of the health system being overwhelmed by virus patients in the country with the world's oldest population. 

As of Friday, Japan has confirmed 14,281 cases with 432 deaths, according to the health ministry.

(With input from agencies; Cover via Reuters)