TOKYO (AP) — Japan has issued a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three western prefectures to curb a surge in the coronavirus. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo from April 25 through May 11. Japan’s third state of emergency since the pandemic began comes only a month after an earlier, toothless emergency ended in the Tokyo area. This time, after a law stipulating virus measures was toughened in February, authorities can issue binding orders for businesses to shorten their hours or close, with compensation for those who comply and penalties for violators.
