England tour of Japan in major doubt as emergency measures declared amid coronavirus pandemic

England are due to return to Japan in July for the first time since their 2019 World Cup Final loss
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England's hopes of their tour of Japan in July going ahead look more doubtful as the country enter a partial state of emergency.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in the process of implementing emergency measures in Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures.

Kobe, the venue for the second and final Test on July 11, is affected, while Oita, where the first match is scheduled to take place on July 4, borders Fukuoka, another prefecture set to face the new measures.

England are due to return to Japan for the first time since their 32-12 World Cup Final defeat to South Africa in Yokohama in November.

Eddie Jones's side topped the Six Nations standings last month after recovering from an opening defeat to France with victories over Scotland, Ireland and Wales, only for the final round of fixtures - as well as the earlier clash between Ireland and Italy - to be suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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