Tokyo's new COVID-19 cases hit a record high of 40,406 on Thursday, surpassing 40,000 for the first time, with health experts urging "maximum vigilance" as the country continues to struggle with its seventh wave of infections.
Japan reported 233,100 daily coronavirus cases the same day, hitting a new record for the second consecutive day, raising concern about the strain on the medical system as the number of available designated hospital beds continues to decline.
The daily figure in the capital was up by about 8,500 from a week before, and comes after daily COVID-19 cases hit a record high of 209,694 on Wednesday.
Despite the resurgence of the virus, the country has not encouraged people to limit their movement, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is seeking to maintain a balance between continued socioeconomic activities and measures to prevent infections from spreading further.
The seven-day average of new cases in Tokyo came to 31,3181, compared with 18,823.0 a week earlier.
The number of severe cases rose by three from Wednesday to 27, while seven new deaths linked to the virus were reported in Tokyo.
Nationwide, a total of 129 deaths were reported Wednesday, topping 100 for the second consecutive day.
The number of patients with severe symptoms across the nation totaled 311 on Wednesday, up 40 from Tuesday. The figure represents a sharp increase from less than 40 observed a month earlier.
"Infections have continued to spread rapidly," according to an advisory panel of experts for the health ministry.
"We must closely watch (the situation) with maximum vigilance, including impact on the medical system," the panel said Wednesday.