A city in the Tohoku region has recently cautioned the media over the use of the shortened popularized moniker "manbō" — a play on words that can mean both stronger antivirus measures and an ocean sunfish that has symbolized the city's post-disaster reconstruction.

The warning came in a document distributed by Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, that says the use of the moniker could diminish the seriousness of the central government's move to designate Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures for stronger measures set to be put in place to halt rising COVID-19 cases.

The measures, including fines for restaurants and drinking establishments that ignore mandates to shortened operating hours, were to enter into effect from Monday for one month in six cities in the prefectures. The designation was made as the three prefectures continue to experience a surge in virus numbers, with Osaka logging a record 666 infections Saturday.