The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has confirmed 270 new coronavirus cases in the capital on Friday.

The daily tally has been below 500 for 20 straight days.

The Japanese government plans to lift a state of emergency for six prefectures on Sunday as the number of coronavirus cases decline. But the declaration will remain in place for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures.

Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Aichi and Gifu will all be released early from the state of emergency.

Japan's Regulatory Reform Minister Kono Taro says coronavirus vaccines for the elderly will likely be delivered to all municipalities across the country by the end of June.

Kono, who is in charge of Japan's vaccination program, was speaking to reporters on Friday.

Participants at an international fisheries conference have agreed to reduce their total allowable catch of Pacific saury in the North Pacific by 40 percent.

Delegates from eight economies, including Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia, wrapped up a three-day online meeting of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission on Thursday.

The Japanese government plans to lift a state of emergency for six prefectures on Sunday as the number of coronavirus cases continues to decline. But the declaration will remain in place for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures.

The decision will apply to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Aichi and Gifu. Government officials will discuss the plan with an expert panel on Friday afternoon.

Japan's government plans to lift a state of emergency for six prefectures at the end of February, while maintaining the measures for the Greater Tokyo Area.

The prime ministers of Japan and Australia have shared grave concern about China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide talked by phone with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for about 40 minutes on Thursday. The talks were requested by the Australian side.

A marked decline in the number of coronavirus cases in Japan has officials considering lifting a state of emergency earlier than planned --- except for the Greater Tokyo Area. But there are concerns lifting the decree too early may trigger a rebound in cases.

Currently ten prefectures are under a state of emergency. Officials have been urging people to avoid non-essential outings, and the managers of bars and restaurants to close early.

Firefighters have been struggling to contain a forest fire in Ashikaga City, north of Tokyo, as the air continues to be extremely dry for four days after the fire broke out.

The city in Tochigi Prefecture has advised members of 207 households to evacuate.

The head of the Japan Medical Association has urged the government to take a cautious approach to a proposal to lift the state of emergency for some prefectures earlier than scheduled.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Nakagawa Toshio said that the number of new cases of the coronavirus in the country has been declining at a slower pace and shows a sign of bottoming out.

Japan's government is considering lifting its coronavirus state of emergency for Osaka, Kyoto and 3 other prefectures at the end of this month.

Tokyo and nine other prefectures across Japan are currently under the state of emergency, which is in effect until March 7.

Japan's agriculture ministry has disciplined six senior bureaucrats who were wined and dined by a major egg producer involved in a bribery scandal.

The ministry announced the disciplinary measures on Thursday. The six include the current vice minister, who faces a salary cut.

A public relations official for Japan's Cabinet has apologized for being treated to an expensive dinner paid for by a satellite broadcasting company when she was at the communications ministry.

Yamada Makiko attended the Lower House budget committee on Thursday, which discussed the wining and dining of communication ministry officials by Tohokushinsha Film Corporation. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's son was among the officials from the company who attended the meals.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 340 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Thursday.

The daily count has remained below 500 for 19 days in a row.