Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, right, heads to a press conference following a government decision to expand areas under the coronavirus state of emergency, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2021. (Mainichi/Kaho Kitayama)

       TOKYO -- Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has cited legal factors for why he has dismissed the possibility of introducing full coronavirus lockdowns in Japan's urban areas.

       "It would be difficult unless we overcome constitutional issues. I made the statements based on my understanding that it wouldn't be easy under current laws," Suga told a news conference on the evening of Aug. 25.

       His explanation came after members of the press asked why he has consistently stated that urban lockdowns as part of COVID-19 countermeasures "would not fit Japan."

       (Mainichi)

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