Japan to declare state of emergency in Tokyo amid pre-Olympics Covid surge

Fourth coronavirus wave hits densely populated parts of country as experts say mutant strains driving latest outbreak

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Japan is poised to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and two other regions amid a surge in coronavirus cases just three months before the start of the Olympic Games.

Domestic media said the government was considering tougher measures for Tokyo, Osaka prefecture and neighbouring Hyogo prefecture, as experts warned that mutant strains of the virus were driving new outbreaks and straining health services.