Broadcasters led with reports on the GOJ’s informal decision to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, and 17 other prefectures until the end of this month (NHK), Japan’s first coronavirus-linked death of a person under 20 (NTV), the GOJ’s plan to relax restrictions on people’s activities even under a state of emergency  (TBS, TV Asahi), and a fire that broke out at a warehouse in Oita early this morning (Fuji TV).  

Top stories in national dailies included the GOJ’s decision to extend the state of emergency (Mainichi, Yomiuri), the GOJ’s plan to relax COVID-19 restrictions on people’s activities (Asahi), an interview with Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda (Nikkei), and former Internal Affairs Minister Takaichi’s announcement of her candidacy for the LDP presidential race (Sankei).