Tokyo recorded 55 new cases of novel coronavirus infection on Wednesday, an alarmingly high number following a brief stretch in which daily figures fluctuated following the lifting of the state of emergency declaration in late May and subsequent reopening of the capital.
Wednesday was the first day in which new cases had exceeded 50 since May 5. Gov. Yuriko Koike said a number of the new infections reported on the day could be traced back to nightlife destinations as well as contact among employees working in the same location.
The number of new cases had hit a lull in Tokyo after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency for all of the nation's prefectures, including the capital. Concerns increased last week when Tokyo reported 47 new infections on June 14 and 48 cases the following day.