Which Areas are Affected?

The declaration is not nationwide. It affects seven areas where medical experts believe the virus is now spreading rapidly, risking overloading the healthcare system.

Abe said Monday it would cover Tokyo, as well as neighboring Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, the western hub of Osaka and neighboring Hyogo, as well as the southwestern region of Fukuoka.

Other parts of the country are not affected. In February, the governor of northern Hokkaido announced a localized state of emergency as cases increased, but lifted the measure after several weeks.