Yomiuri wrote that there is a growing view within the GOJ that it may be necessary to extend the state of emergency beyond Feb. 7 and continue to keep preventive measures in place for the time being because there has only been a slight drop in the number of new cases in the areas under the emergency declaration. The paper wrote that the government is considering extending the emergency for about a month.

Meanwhile, all national dailies wrote that 2,764 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Japan on Monday, dropping below 3,000 for the first time since Dec. 28, 2020. However, 1,017 people, up 10 from the previous day, were in serious condition. In Tokyo, 618 new cases were confirmed on Monday, with Tokyo’s daily tally dropping below 700 for the first time since Dec. 28.