On April 7, Prime Minister Abe declared a state of emergency based on the revised Law on Special Measures against Swine Flu and Other Influenza. It covers the major regions of Japan - Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka - and asks the public to "self-restrain" for about a month. The declaration of a state of emergency is different from the lockdown seen in the West. By declar