COVID-19 infections are rising in record numbers in many Asian nations. In Japan, a state of emergency began on Monday in Osaka and three prefectures near Tokyo. Malaysia is reporting more than 17,000 cases a day – its highest since the pandemic began. Thailand has extended tighter measures in the capital and high-risk provinces. The country is in the middle of its biggest outbreak yet and is seeing record highs, with 18,000 new cases on Sunday.