Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency as early as Tuesday, following a spike in infections across major cities.
That's according to the Yomiuri newspaper report, which said the new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.
Cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Hyogo could come under the directive, which will allow governors to urge residents to stay at home and businesses to pull down the shutters.
But, unlike other parts of the world, lockdown violations will not be penalised, and the authorities will rely purely on peer pressure and respect for authority for its enforcement.
It comes a week after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike indicated that she would favour a state of emergency declaration so stronger social-distancing measures can be imposed.
So far, the number of infections crossed 3,600 in the country, with more than 1,000 reported in Tokyo.
The Kremlin on Tuesday reacted icily to Donald Trump's warnings to President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, saying that recent decisions by the US president and the NATO military alliance would be interpreted by Kyiv as a signal to continue the war.
Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to the city since Ahmed al-Sharaa took over as President in December.
NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson splashed down safely in the Pacific early on Tuesday after her fifth trip to the International Space Station, joined by crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary returning from their countries' first ISS mission.
US President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine on Monday, and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Russia agrees a peace deal, a major policy shift brought on by frustration with Moscow's ongoing attacks on its neighbour.
India has ordered its airlines to examine fuel switches on several Boeing models, while South Korea said it would order a similar measure, as scrutiny intensified of fuel switch locks at the centre of an investigation into a deadly Air India crash.
US President Donald Trump said he will send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, saying they are necessary to defend the country because Russian leader Vladimir Putin "talks nice but then he bombs everybody in the evening".
At least nine people died and more than 30 others were injured when a fire broke out at a Boston-area assisted-living center on Sunday night, authorities said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg on Monday in the capital Kyiv, where they discussed boosting Ukraine's air defences and Kyiv buying weapons with European help.
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Make sure to tune in every weekdays to Tag Gising Na from 5AM - 10 AM for a comprehensive roundup of important updates.
Welcome to Pinoy Bulletin, your go-to source for staying informed about important announcements, exciting group activities, community events, and job opportunities!
Make sure to tune in every weekdays to Tag Gising Na from 5AM - 10 AM for a comprehensive roundup of important updates.
Kremlin reacts icily to Trump but some Russian officials are blunter
Syrian troops enter Druze city of Sweida after two days of clashes
Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary return with NASA veteran from space station
Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil
Some airlines checking Boeing fuel switches after Air India crash
Trump says US will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Fire at Boston-area senior living facility kills at least nine
Zelenskyy and Kellogg discuss air defence and arms purchases in Kyiv
