TOKYO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government declared Wednesday to expand the COVID-19 state of emergency to Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Okayama and Hiroshima.

Pedestrians walk across a street in Tokyo, Japan on July 8, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)

The measures will come into effect on Friday in the newly added eight prefectures and last through Sept. 12 in all areas under the state of emergency.

The COVID-19 state of emergency has already been covering Tokyo and 12 other prefectures amid the country's latest resurgence of infections.