The Tokyo metropolitan government on Tuesday confirmed 143 new COVID-19 infections, with the number staying below the 200-mark for the second straight day but spiking above the 119 cases detected a day earlier.
Monday's figure marked the first time the number of daily COVID-19 cases had dropped below 200 in five days.
Concerns remain about a resurgence of the virus, however, as clusters of infections have continued to occur at nighttime entertainment establishments in downtown areas in Tokyo including those in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro wards.
Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is also in charge of the coronavirus response, said Tuesday that the government is mulling the possibility of issuing business suspension requests to such establishments.
The suspension requests would be issued for nighttime establishments in downtown areas that are not adhering to virus prevention measures, such as ventilation, mask-wearing and general sanitation.
Customers will again be asked to not patronize such establishments that are not taking virus prevention measures.
Concerns have also been raised recently regarding localized clusters of infections occurring at a theater in Shinjuku Ward, as well as among U.S. military-linked personal based in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.
As the number of people to attend sports, music and other large events were allowed to be raised to 5,000 spectators recently, Nishimura said the central government along with experts would reconsider this decision.
