Japan plans to lift Tokyo's virus emergency on June 20, a month before the Olympics, the government announced as reports said only 10,000 spectators would be allowed at Games events.

Tokyo and several other parts of the country have been under a virus emergency since April 25, with the measure forcing the early closure of bars and restaurants and banning them from selling alcohol, AFP reports.

It is due to expire on June 20, and the minister overseeing Japan's coronavirus response said the government would seek to move Tokyo and nine other regions to looser restrictions.

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