Japan goes ahead with relaxing state of emergency

Japan slowly began reopening on Friday after the government lifted its coronavirus state of emergency ahead of schedule in most of the country, except for eight high-risk areas.

Tenjin station in Fukuoka was bustling with commuters taking the morning train.

City officials were giving out masks, and asking commuters to wear them to prevent the virus from spreading.

Residents of Kanazawa, in Ishikawa prefecture, expressed mixed feelings.

In the Omicho fish market, businesses were happy for the easing of restrictions.

But one shopper said she was worried about increased travel from other parts of Japan.

Shutters were still closed at tourist town in Nara, known for its temples and deer park.

One business owner said he was worried tourism and traveling may take time to recover, even after the lifting of the state of emergency.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the measure in 39 of the country's 47 prefectures.

It remains in effect in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido and four other prefectures.

Abe declared a monthlong state of emergency on April 7 in Tokyo and six other urban prefectures and later extended it to the whole country through May 31.

He said experts will meet next week to decide if the measure can be lifted in the remaining areas and pledged to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control by the end of May.

Japan has more than 16,000 confirmed cases, including about 680 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.