15 July
Officials in Tokyo are considering how to respond to clustered coronavirus outbreaks that contributed to a recent rise in infections. This week's daily numbers have hovered in the mid-100s ... after figures topped 200 for four straight days.
The officials confirmed 143 new infections in the capital on Tuesday, bringing the city's total to nearly 8,200.
Many of the recent cases are among young people who work at or have visited nightlife districts.
Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is in charge of the government's coronavirus response, said on Tuesday, "The number of infected people is increasing considerably. We have to deal with the situation with a sense of crisis."
Nishimura said officials and experts will discuss if night clubs that don't act in accordance with anti-virus guidelines should be asked to close.
More than 22,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Japan. Nearly 1,000 people have died.
nhk
