Tokyo Olympic Games: State of emergency announced as Covid cases rise

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters it would run from 12 July and remain in place until 22 August.

Bars and restaurants will not be allowed to serve alcohol and must close by 20:00 (11:00 GMT), a minister announced.

Organisers and officials are currently meeting for a "very difficult decision" on whether to allow local spectators.

Coronavirus infections are rising in Tokyo as the 23 July opening ceremony edges closer.

There has been widespread opposition to the Games in Japan, with calls for them to be postponed or cancelled.

"Taking into consideration the effect of coronavirus variants and not to let the infections spread again to the rest of the nation, we need to strengthen our countermeasures," the prime minister said.

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"Given the situation, we will issue a state of emergency for Tokyo."

Organisers are reportedly also considering barring fans from almost all Olympic events. A news conference is expected at 22:45 (13:45 GMT).

"We need to issue a message which is strong and easy to understand from the point of view of preventing the further spread [of the virus]," Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto said at the start of the talks.

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