TOKYO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 263 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, while a resurgence of cases in Aichi Prefecture has seen a state of emergency to be declared in the central Japanese region.
Tokyo's latest figure marks the ninth consecutive day that new daily cases have topped 200, but the number of infections has dropped from the previous day's tally of 309 and retreated from its record 472 cases reported Saturday.
Of the 263 latest cases, those testing positive in their 20s and 30s comprised 163 people, accounting for around 62 percent of the total.
Tokyo's cumulative total of confirmed infections has reached 14,285 people, with the metropolitan government maintaining its highest alert level on its four-tier scale meaning "infections are spreading."
Until the end of the month, establishments serving alcohol including bars, clubs, restaurants and karaoke parlors have been requested to close their doors at 10 p.m. in a bid to prevent the further spread of the virus.
The Tokyo metropolitan government has also asked customers to only patronize such establishments displaying a sticker indicating that antiviral measures have been taken.
Tokyoites have also been asked to avoid drinking and dinner parties with large groups of people, especially those taking place over extended periods of time, and refrain from holding smaller gatherings taking place in close proximity with others.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has not ruled out the possibility of declaring a Tokyo-specific state of emergency if deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, as Aichi Prefecture reported 144 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday pushing its cumulative total up to 2,528 cases, its governor Hideaki Omura said the prefecture would declare a state of emergency from Thursday through Aug. 24.
Residents of the prefecture will be asked to refrain from making non-essential trips across prefectural borders.
Nationwide, new infections in Japan increased by 1,284, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 42,740, not including those connected to a cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo in February.
New infections in Osaka Prefecture rose by 196 to total 4,916 cases, while those in Kanagawa increased by 81 to 2,831.
Saitama Prefecture reported 50 new infections bringing its cumulative total to 2,606, while Fukuoka Prefecture saw cases increases by 123 to reach a total of 2,479, according to the latest figures Wednesday evening.
The nation's death toll from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 1,027, Wednesday evening's figures showed. Enditem
