Tokyo is nearly there!

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All the prefectures but Tokyo and environs (the three prefectures Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa-- this is a grouping that outsiders would call "greater Tokyo," "itto sanken" in Japanese--and it functions pretty much as a unit) have had their emergency declarations lifted. They are still supposed to avoid the three Cs-- closed spaces, crowded places, and close conversation (still need social distancing and masks), but their schools and businesses can restart in stages. Greater Tokyo is almost there. They were already planning to open schools as of June 1, but depending on numbers over the weekend, we may be allowed in "Stage 1" of recovery: businesses can stay open a bit later, closed businesses reopen, schools go part-time and study at home part-time. In other words, the "State of Emergency", we hope, will be lifted tomorrow, May 25. They are, of course, going to watch carefully and if there is any sign of a second wave of infection, they will immediately declare state of emergency. Hokkaido is in the second wave and will remain in the state of emergency for a little while. The rest of Japan seems to be doing well-- fewer than 25 cases per day for the past week, for the whole country. I hope they don't yet open us up for foreign travelers quite yet, but that is in either Stage 2 or 3. I'm sure it will open by country of origin. I know several people stuck outside the country whose family is here, so it is necessary to open some! By July I hope there are many (healthy) visitors and then I will go to Kagoshima and volunteer in the museum again! Right now we are not even allowed to travel between prefectures unless absolutely necessary (family emergency, etc.) I'm looking forward to hearing the announcement of the emergency declaration being lifted... I hope it happens tomorrow and we enter Stage 1 (schools are still waiting until June 1). How about where you live, what stage are you in of lockdown or re-opening?