TOKYO • Japan’s government announced Tuesday that the coronavirus state of emergency will end this week to help rejuvenate the economy as infections slow.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the emergency will end Thursday and virus restrictions will be eased gradually “in order to resume daily lives despite the presence of the virus.” He said the government will create more temporary COVID-19 treatment facilities and continue vaccinations to prepare for any future resurgence.

“Our fight against the coronavirus is now entering a new phase,” Suga said. “Finally, we can see social and economic activities starting to normalize.”

Government officials are also instituting other plans such as vaccine passports and virus tests, Suga said.

With the lifting, Japan will be free of emergency requirements for the first time in more than six months.

Japan is eager to expand social and economic activities while balancing the need to prevent another wave of infections. The government is in transition as the governing party chooses a replacement for Suga this week.

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Tokyo. Suga announced the coronavirus state of emergency will end Thursday so the economy can be reactivated as infections slow. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Rodrigo Reyes Marin