The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping a downgraded "quasi-emergency" state until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported on Friday.

New coronavirus infections in host city Tokyo have inched down during the last month of emergency restrictions but authorities remain concerned about the spread of variants and the continued strain on medical resources.

Under the targeted quasi-emergency measures, the government would ask restaurants to keep shorter hours and impose other curbs, Mainichi reported. Bars and restaurants are currently asked to close by 8 p.m. and are banned from serving alcohol.

A final decision is expected late next week, a few days before the end of the current emergency state, which also covers the northern island of Hokkaido, host of the Tokyo 2020 marathon event.