Japan Expands Emergency; China Denies Allegation

BANGKOK (AP) – Japan’s prime minister is planning to expand a state of emergency to the entire country from just Tokyo and other urban areas as the coronavirus continues to spread. Shinzo Abe convened a meeting of experts Thursday to receive approval for the proclamation. Abe declared a state of emergency on April 7 that covers just Tokyo and six other prefectures deemed at highest risk. In other developments in Asia, China denied allegations that the pandemic originated in a laboratory where contagious samples were stored. South Korea’s ruling party won parliamentary elections with a high turnout despite the virus.