Japan digs in on Games as cases spike

Insistence that Olympics will proceed comes despite border clamp, fresh curbs

Japan on Wednesday expanded a state of emergency to another seven prefectures and banned entry of all foreign travelers, all the while insisting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would kick off in the summer come hell or high water.

The declaration came after the governors of Osaka, Kyoto and other hard-hit prefectures requested the central government to do so. This gives the authorities the ability to place restrictions on residents' movements and business operations.

"The severe situation continues in different places in Japan and I think everyone is feeling insecured," Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, adding the government will do whatever it needs to do and Japan has to overcome the situation with the cooperation of the people.