UPDATE - COVID-19: Japan PM to declare state of emergency on Tuesday

UPDATES WITH CONFIRMATION, REVISED HEADLINE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Sorwar Alam

ANKARA (AA) - Japanese prime minister will announce a state of emergency on Tuesday, first in the country's history, in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, local media reported on Monday.

In a meeting with his party executives on Monday, Shinzo Abe said the emergency rule will be effective until May 6, according to Kyodo news.

The state of emergency will cover Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures, according to the news agency.

As of Monday, the confirmed number of coronavirus cases in Japan jumped to 4,563, including some 700 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, while at least 101 people have lost their lives so far.

Earlier in the day, the news agency reported the state of emergency will be effective from Wednesday.

"The declaration, under a recently amended law, will come as Japan seeks to contain a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, which poses a significant risk to life and to the Japanese economy," the agency quoted government officials as saying, adding the premier will specify the duration and areas that will be targeted.

The state of emergency would restrict individual rights, allowing prefectural governors to call for specific action to prevent the spread of the virus, it added.

*Islamuddin Sajid from Pakistan contributed to this story.