The emergency that was to be ended on Sunday was first declared in Okinawa in April. It was gradually extended and enlarged as the country prepared for the Olympics.
The largely voluntary measures, despite the long-term emergency, have become less effective as the exhausted Japanese ignore them. Suga has been criticized for failing to provide more effective measures and a persuasive message to win support.
Suga stated that serious COVID-19 cases are still high and overwhelm many hospitals. He urged people to work remotely and to observe social distancing methods "so we can return safely and prosper to our daily lives."
The extension will be extended during periods of transition in Japan's government. Suga announced that he won't run for the leadership of his party's Sept. 29 election. He will almost certainly be succeeded in the race for party leadership.
Suga stated that he had to cancel plans for a snap election and a personnel reshuffle before the party leadership race. This was due to COVID-19, which requires an "incredible amount of energy." Suga does not belong any party faction that would support his campaign.
His government was criticized for not taking adequate and timely measures to combat the virus and also for hosting the Olympics despite opposition from the public during the pandemic.
Suga stated that he has dedicated himself to fighting the coronavirus ever since he took office one year ago. At the time, little was known about it. Suga stated that he regrets having had to have difficulty securing hospital capacity. It's still not enough.
Suga was known for his hard-nosed ability break down territorial divisions between ministries to get the job done. However, there were still widespread sections across the bureaucracy which slowed things. Suga stated, "I believe we require a system that can monitor and respond to an (emergency] situation like the coronavirus at one place."
He noted that the Japanese processes for approval of vaccines, new treatments and secure medical staff are time-consuming and a major obstacle to better crisis management.
"We must stabilize medical systems and ensure that infections are decreasing steadily," Yasutoshi Nishimura, Economy and Fiscal Minister, stated earlier Thursday. He is responsible for COVID-19 measures. He stated that tens of thousand of people are still in recovery at home, or in temporary facilities with limited medical care.
