Japan's Health Ministry officials have confirmed the number of patients with serious conditions has topped 1,000 -- the highest since the start of the pandemic.

Despite a state of emergency in place for Tokyo and 10 other prefectures, rates continue to escalate.

Japan's Regulatory Reform Minister Kono Taro will lead the efforts to roll out coronavirus vaccines in the country, with the aim of starting by late February.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on Monday instructed Kono to coordinate the entire process.

Japan's health ministry says three people in the country have been confirmed to be infected with a new strain of the coronavirus now prevalent in Britain. The ministry says the people have no recent history of overseas travel and no known contact with people infected with the variant.

The ministry suspects they may have contracted the variant through community-acquired infections inside Japan.

Japan's regular Diet session opened on Monday. In his first policy speech at a regular session since taking office, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide stressed the government's continued efforts to fight the coronavirus.

Suga said, "I'm deeply sorry that the government has to ask people to live under restrictions again. Now I call for everyone's cooperation to overcome the difficulties. I myself shall be on the frontline of the fight against the virus."

Japan's government has submitted a record-high draft budget to the Diet. The package earmarks funds for ballooning social-security and other spending. It covers fiscal 2021 that starts in April.

This year's regular Diet session began on Monday.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says he intends to appoint Regulatory Reform Minister Kono Taro as coordinator of coronavirus vaccinations in Japan.

Suga revealed a plan to carry out vaccinations at a news conference on Monday.

Weather officials are warning of snowstorms in northern Japan and the Sea of Japan side of the central part of the country through Tuesday.

The Meteorological Agency says a low pressure system will pass over northern Japan, while developing rapidly.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has vowed that he will be on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus to overcome the difficulties.

Suga delivered his policy speech on the first day of the regular Diet session on Monday.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 1,204 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Monday.

That is the second highest-ever figure for a Monday, following the 1,219 cases confirmed one week ago. The daily tally has exceeded 1,000 for six days in a row.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has expressed his strong resolve to have lawmakers pass government-proposed bills to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Suga spoke to reporters before the 204th ordinary session of the Diet was convened on Monday.

Japanese healthcare professionals plan to discuss how to secure hospital beds to cope with a surge in coronavirus patients.

The Japan Medical Association, All Japan Hospital Association, and two other organizations plan to hold the first meeting of a new task force this week.

An ordinary session of Japan's Diet is set to open on Monday, with hot debates expected on the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide will deliver policy speeches at the plenary sessions of both chambers. They will be his first at an ordinary Diet session since taking office.

Japan's health authorities reported another 5,759 new cases of coronavirus across the country on Sunday. A record 972 people are in serious condition.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 1,592 new cases. Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama all reported their highest figures for a Sunday.

Japan's expanded state of emergency is forcing food wholesalers to dispose of products as sales fall.

One wholesaler that caters to restaurants is receiving far fewer orders from bars and canteens due to reduced hours and expanded remote work.