Tokyo eyes lowering alert level as virus fears ease: NHK

TOKYO - Tokyo's government is heading towards dropping its coronavirus alert from the highest level on Thursday (Sept 10) as cases continue to trend down, broadcaster NHK reported, opening the path for a loosening of restrictions on night-time activity.

The capital raised the alert to "red" in July on the advice of experts following a rise in infections. Tokyo's daily cases have gradually declined since hitting a peak of 472 cases in early August, with 149 new cases reported on Wednesday (Sept 9).

Separately at a national level, a group of experts will convene on Friday (Sept 11) to consider easing of restrictions on large-scale events. That follows appeals from Japan's top baseball and soccer leagues, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters on Thursday.

The government will also consider adding Tokyo to its Go To Travel subsidised domestic tourism campaign, following its exclusion after becoming a coronavirus hotspot.

The campaign was criticised for potentially facilitating the spread of the virus.

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