The 147.2-meter-high landmark, Saporo TV Tower is lit up in blue to express appreciation to healthcare workers for the new coronavirus in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido on April 27, 2020, amid an outbreak of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Japan's government declared a state of emergency to Tokyo and six prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka for about one month on April 7th. Furthermore, the Japanese government decided to add 40 prefectures to the area of the emergency declaration and expand the target area to all over the country on April 16th. The period will be until May 6th. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked for refraining from going out to the extent possible. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, globally widespread on March 11th. ( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )