Japan extends state of emergency until May 31

Japan announced it will extend its nationwide state of emergency until May 31, as the country braces for a lengthy battle against the coronavirus pandemic. 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the formal decision on Monday, the last day of Japan's Golden Week holiday. So far, a total of 14,877 coronavirus cases and 487 deaths have been reported in the country. 

At a press conference, Prime Minister Abe said that the number of infected people in the country is not at a sufficient level and the medical field is in a harsh situation.

"We should continue to make efforts for a while," said Abe.

For the 13 prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka that have been hardest hit, a target of reducing person-to-person contacts by 80 percent would remain in place, Abe said.

The country will move gradually to a framework that will combine prevention of the spread of infections with maintaining social and economic activities, he added.

The prime minister said he will ask experts to assess coronavirus situation around May 14.

Click here for more.