Japan lifts state of emergency - but not for major cities

Tokyo and Osaka are to remain in a state of emergency while the rest of Japan starts to get back to normal, after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the emergency in 39 of Japan's 47 prefectures on Thursday (May 14).

The world's third-largest economy declared the nationwide state of emergency a month ago, urging citizens to reduce person-to-person contact by 80% to slow the spread of the virus and ease pressure on medical services across the country.

"While controlling the spread of the virus as much as possible by acting on the premise that the virus is all around us, we will restore ordinary work and daily life."

The 39 prefectures in which the emergency has been lifted account for 54% of Japan's population, but the greater Tokyo area alone accounts for a third of the economy.

While Japan has avoided the kind of explosive growth seen in the United States and elsewhere, its testing rate has also been among the lowest.

Abe said experts will assess the situation for the areas under restriction next week.