Japan on Wednesday reported a record of 795 new daily COVID-19 cases, exceeding the previous single-day high set in April. The figure brought the nationwide number of cases to over 27,800.

Since the nationwide state of emergency was lifted in late May, there has been a surge of new coronavirus cases especially in Tokyo's bars and nightlife hotspots, which forced the Tokyo government to raise its pandemic alert last week to the highest of four available levels, indicating "infections are spreading."

The metropolitan reported 238 cases on Wednesday, ahead of a holiday that starts Thursday. According to the Japan Times, the city had over 3,800 cases so far this month, more than the previous peak in April when the city entered its state of emergency.

Hospitalizations in Tokyo have risen almost five-fold over the past month, but authorities stressed the medical system is not under strain. Among the hospitalized, only 14 are listed as serious cases, and the city has had only two deaths in the past month.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged residents to avoid nonessential trips outdoors as much as possible during the upcoming four-day holiday as the total number of coronavirus cases in the city topped 10,000.

"I want residents to avoid going out as much as possible," Koike said at a meeting of a panel of experts advising the city. "If you are going outside, take the utmost precautions to avoid infection."

"We need to keep our guard up to be ready for a second wave" of infections, she said.

Economic pressure

Fearing a second wave of infections spreading from the capital, local municipalities, opposition lawmakers and social media users have asked the central government to suspend a major "Go To" travel aid campaign that aims to boost domestic tourism.

Leaders of some rural towns say that driven by the campaign, travel in and out of high-risk regions like Tokyo may lead to widespread community transmissions.

There were reports in local media of Tokyo residents being asked to stay away from parents and relatives living in rural towns that have reported fewer coronavirus cases.

The pandemic in Japan will turn into a "man-made" disaster should the travel programme go ahead, Soichiro Miyashita, mayor of the city of Mutsu in Aomori Prefecture, has warned.

But Japan's economy minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, said the government will cautiously proceed with the campaign, which includes discounts for shopping and food.

"Obviously we will consider the thoughts of many of our people, while monitoring the situation ahead," Nishimura, who leads the government's coronavirus policy, told parliament.

The programme, among the government's top initiatives to stimulate economic activity and set to start this month, has also come under fire over costs as it subcontracts back-office work to a private contractor.

Koike urged the government to reconsider the timing for the campaign at a press conference last week.

(With input from Reuters)