What does a state of emergency mean for Japan? by Sara HUSSEIN

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to announce a state of emergency as soon as Tuesday in several parts of the country, including Tokyo, where coronavirus infections are spiking.

But the measure falls far short of the lockdowns seen in other parts of the world. So what does a state of emergency entail in the world's third-biggest economy?

- Which areas are affected?

The declaration is not nationwide. It affects seven areas where medical experts believe the virus is now spreading rapidly, risking overloading the healthcare system.

Abe said Monday it would cover Tokyo, as well as neighbouring Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, the western hub of Osaka and neighbouring Hyogo, as well as the southwestern region of Fukuoka.

Other parts of the country are not affected. In February, the governor of northern Hokkaido announced a localised state of emergency as cases increased, but lifted the measure after several weeks.

- What does the measure allow?

The state of emergency empowers governors in affected regions to call for restrictions on movement and commerce but offers little in the way of enforcement.

Governors can request people stay inside -- something Tokyo's governor has effectively already done by asking people to limit unneccessary outings and work from home.

It also allows governors to call for businesses that attract large numbers of people, like entertainment venues or department stores, to close their doors.

But there are no punishments for those who defy the request, nor any other enforcement mechanisms.

Public transport is expected to continue running, though possibly on a more limited basis. Shops and other business may remain open.

- So what can governors order?

The strongest power accorded governors is the ability to commandeer buildings or land for medical purposes.

This could mean requiring landowners to turn over property to build temporary medical facilities, or businesses to free up space for housing patients.

Governors can also close public institutions like schools, many of which have been shuttered since February after Abe urged a nationwide shutdown.

- How will the public react?

While the measure does not contain strong enforcement measures, expectations are that most individuals and businesses will comply.

Many people have already heeded calls to work from home, with Tokyo's notoriously crowded transport system noticeably emptier in recent weeks.

And a request from the Tokyo governor for people to stay home on weekends has also resulted in significantly quieter streets, even in the sunny final days of cherry blossom season.

Japan's legal system, influenced by the legacy of wartime excesses, limits the government's power over its citizens.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the law implementing the state of emergency, said residents would be asked, not ordered.

"Our legal system is set up so that people as a whole unite and share the burden of preventing the spread of infection," rather than resorting to forcible measures, he said in parliament on Monday.

And there are signs the public is on board, with a poll published by private broadcaster TBS on Monday showing 80 percent of participants supported a declaration of emergency.

- How is it declared?

The state of emergency measure comes from a revised 2012 bill intended to slow the spread of new strains of flu.

The declaration can only be made if certain conditions are met, including that a virus is spreading rapidly and having a significant impact on the lives of citizens and the economy.

To make such a determination, Abe is required to consult a taskforce convened for the purpose last month, which includes legal experts and medical professionals.

Asia virus latest: Japan proposes state of emergency, Singapore quarantines dorms

Here are the latest developments in Asia related to the coronavirus pandemic:

- Japan state of emergency -

Japan's prime minister proposed a state of emergency for several major regions seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, as well as a stimulus package worth $1 trillion to cushion the impact on the world's third-biggest economy.

The official declaration of the state of emergency would likely come as soon as Tuesday, Shinzo Abe told reporters, as the country grapples with a recent spike in coronavirus cases, especially in the capital Tokyo.

- Singapore quarantines foreign workers -

The city-state has put nearly 20,000 migrant workers under quarantine for two weeks after a growing number of infections were detected in their dormitories.

Authorities reported 120 new virus cases Sunday, the highest jump in a single day, with many linked to the dorms.

Many workers from less affluent countries -- particularly parts of South Asia -- come to Singapore to work in construction, and are typically housed in large dormitory complexes.

- Markets up, oil down -

Asian markets rose as some of the world's worst-hit countries reported falling death rates, although oil prices were rocked after a meeting of top producers was delayed.

- Virus-stricken cruise ship docks near Sydney -

A cruise ship that has accounted for a quarter of all COVID-19 deaths in Australia was allowed to dock near Sydney after 200 crew members began exhibiting coronavirus symptoms.

The Ruby Princess berthed at Port Kembla, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Sydney, after weeks stranded at sea to allow doctors to assess sick crew members and take the most serious cases ashore for medical treatment.

- South Korea reports fewer than 50 cases -

South Korea reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases for the first time in more than six weeks, having once been the hardest-hit country outside China.

The South confirmed 47 new cases on the previous day, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, taking its total to date to 10,284. It was the lowest increase since late February.

- Singapore airport to suspend Terminal 2 operations -

Singapore's Changi Airport, one of Asia's busiest travel hubs, will suspend operations at its Terminal 2 for 18 months from May 1 due to the steep fall in passenger numbers, its operator said.

The operator also said it would consider suspending operations at Terminal 4, which have already been scaled back considerably, if more airlines axe flights or adjust their schedules.

- Indonesian police to guard virus victims' burials -

Indonesia's capital Jakarta has launched a special police unit to guard the burial of coronavirus victims over concerns that scared residents would try to block their funerals.

The move comes days after angry mobs in several cities on Sulawesi island and in Central Java blocked streets to prevent ambulances from transporting victims of the deadly illness to local cemeteries.

- Mumbai hospital shut after medics test positive -

A major private hospital in Mumbai was shut to new patients and declared a "containment zone" after 26 nurses and three doctors tested positive, an official said.

Mumbai city authority spokesman Vijay Khabale-Patil told AFP that "extreme precautions" were being taken at the Wockhardt Hospital, which included quarantining 300 staff members.

- Easter bunny 'eggs-empt' from New Zealand lockdown -

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially granted the Easter Bunny an exemption from strict travel restrictions imposed under a nationwide lockdown.

"You'll be pleased to know that we do consider both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy to be essential workers, but as you can imagine they're potentially going to be quite busy at home with their own bunnies," she said -- cautioning youngsters may have to organise their own egg hunts.