TOKYO, Jan 19, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Japan is set to approve new coronavirus
restrictions on a large part of the country, including Tokyo, on Wednesday as
it battles record infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

   Final approval from the government is expected later in the day, but on
Wednesday morning experts backed placing 13 regions "under quasi-emergency
measures from January 21 to February 13" Daishiro Yamagiwa, minister in
charge of the coronavirus affairs, told reporters.

   The move allows each region to decide what specific measures to implement,
but local media said the restrictions were likely to include shorter opening
hours for bars and restaurants and possible restrictions on alcohol sales.

   The highly infectious Omicron variant is driving a resurgence in
coronavirus cases, with daily nationwide infections topping 30,000 for the
first time this week, according to media tallies.

   Japan has still been less hard hit than many countries, with around 18,400
deaths in the pandemic while avoiding strict lockdowns.

   But government officials and experts are worried that rising infections
could put pressure on the country's medical system.

   Three Japanese regions are already under virus restrictions, after surges
in cases linked to US military bases.

   More than 78 percent of Japan's population is fully vaccinated, but the
programme began later than in some other developed countries.

   So far, just 1.2 percent of the population has received a booster shot.