The Japanese government may end its cap on the number of spectators at public events set at a maximum of 5,000, if new coronavirus cases are assessed to be on the decline.
Nishimura Yasutoshi, minister in charge of the coronavirus response, told reporters on Wednesday that the governing bodies of Japan's professional baseball and soccer are asking for the limit to be eased.
People in Japan are observing a solemn 75th anniversary on Saturday, August 15, the day the country marks the end of World War Two and offers prayers for peace.
This year's events and rallies to mark the occasion across the country are being held with due precautions amid the continuing spread of the coronavirus.
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi says current restrictions on large-scale events will be in place through the end of August.
The government had planned to allow events with more than 5,000 participants, filling facilities to about half their capacity, starting on August 1.
The operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea has removed 12 events and programs from its calendar through March. The cancellations include key Halloween and Christmas events at the two amusement parks.
Oriental Land said a prolonged period of shutdown due to the coronavirus has made it difficult to prepare. The parks, located just outside Tokyo, reopened on July 1 for the first time in about four months.
Official events have resumed at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the first time in about three months, with measures in place to prevent coronavirus infections.
On Wednesday, Emperor Naruhito received credentials from the new ambassadors of Tonga and Rwanda. It was his first ceremonial duty at the palace since late March.
The Japanese government is pressing the pause button on a variety of sport and cultural events to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Nearly 900 people have been confirmed infected. More than 700 of those cases emerged in a quarantined cruise ship docked near Tokyo.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday, "Now is the crucial time to contain the spread of the virus at an early date."
Japan's Cabinet minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics says the government will not call for the cancellation or downsizing of Games-related events despite the new coronavirus outbreak.
Seiko Hashimoto told reporters on Tuesday that the government's panel of experts has not urged restraint in organizing large-scale gatherings, and has allowed test events for the Olympics and Paralympics to go ahead as planned.