Japan's daily virus cases surge past previous record high

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's number of reported coronavirus infections hit a record high in numbers released Thursday, and the prime minister urged maximum caution but stopped short of calling for restrictions on travel or business.

The Health Ministry reported 2,179 new cases, the first time Japan has seen more than 2,000 new daily cases since the pandemic began. The previous high for new cases was 1,723 on Nov. 14.

Compared to many other countries, Japan has done well with its efforts to combat the virus, reporting 122,966 infections, with 1,922 deaths, since the pandemic began. But it has seen an uptick in cases in recent days, with record highs both nationally and in Tokyo, the country's largest city.

Tokyo’s metropolitan government reported 493 new cases Wednesday, surpassing the city’s previous high of 472 on Aug. 1 during the peak of any earlier surge.

The nationwide spikes, especially in the populated capital region and Hokkaido in the north, are also alarming experts ahead of an upcoming three-day weekend and the winter holiday season. They have called on officials to step up preventive measures.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters Thursday that he has instructed relevant ministers to do their utmost to prevent the infections from escalating and he urged the thorough use of masks. But he said his government's tourism and dining incentives will continue.

The “GoTo eat” dining campaign aimed at supporting the restaurant and tourism industry should be limited to groups of up to four people, Suga said. He also asked people to wear masks when dining, remove them only they put food in their mouths and immediately put them back on while talking quietly.

“I ask the people to quietly dine with mask," Suga said. “I will start thoroughly doing that...