While Asian markets rise broadly today, Nikkei is lagging with mild loss on fear of further showdowns. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga warned that the government would consider declaring state of emergency for the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, as coronavirus cases surged.
“Even during the three days of the New Year’s holidays, cases didn’t go down in the greater Tokyo area,” Suga said. “We felt that a stronger message was needed.” He added that in some regions like Osaka Prefecture and Hokkaido, shortening restaurant hours helped stem the rise in infections.
