Tokyo, neighboring prefectures and other major cities began to see a simultaneous surge in new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past few days, forcing policymakers to weigh public health concerns against business closure requests that would risk further damage to the economy.

On Friday, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike reported 243 new cases, yet another record-breaking figure in a surge of infections that began in late June.

In the seven days leading up to Thursday, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures reported a combined total of 403 infections. That's nearly double the 209 cases they reported together between June 26 and July 2, according to data from the ministry of health.