Japan to extend state of emergency amid fears second wave could cripple Tokyo hospitals www.theguardian.com

Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is poised to extend the country’s state emergency until the end of the month, amid warnings that relaxing social distancing advice too early could flood already crowded hospitals with coronavirus patients.
But media reports said the government could also ease restrictions in some areas, in an attempt to promote limited economic activity.
Local leaders, however, have voiced concern that infections could spread if people stopped socially distancing and started moving around again.
The number of coronavirus cases in Japan stood at 15,789 on Sunday, according to public broadcaster NHK, with 549 deaths.
Those figures include 712 infections and 13 deaths linked to the Diamond Princess cruise liner, which was quarantined in Yokohama, near Tokyo, in February.