An official of the World Health Organization says Japan may need to take stronger measures to contain the coronavirus in areas with untraceable infections.

Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, spoke at a news conference in Geneva on Friday.

TOKYO — Toyota Chief Executive Akio Toyoda promised Friday that the Japanese auto industry would seek to protect jobs worldwide as it endures the coronavirus pandemic.

Toyoda, speaking as head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said he was worried the Japanese economy might be destroyed before the world can win the fight against the sickness caused by COVID-19.

More than 500 infections were reported on Thursday, bringing the total to about 5,500. Tokyo and Osaka each saw a record daily increase.

The total does not include 712 cases linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined near Tokyo earlier this year.

Nearly 400 coronavirus infections were reported in Japan on Thursday, bringing the total to more than 5,300. And Tokyo saw a record increase for the second day in a row.

The total does not include 712 cases linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined near Tokyo earlier this year.

The Japanese government is preparing for a possible increase in domestic violence cases, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The government is concerned that domestic violence cases could surge, as the outbreak forces people to stay home and businesses to shut down. Such changes could heighten people's anxiety and stress levels and lead to a possible increase in domestic violence. Victims of domestic abuse are often unable to get away from their abusers.

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Tokyo and other areas has soared, pushing the total in Japan to more than 5,000.

As of 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, 320 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 5,292. The figure includes 14 people who returned from China on chartered planes. The figure also includes 96 people who are health ministry and quarantine officials, or were found to have the virus during arrival checks at airports, and other people.

The Japanese government will start mailing reusable cloth masks to all households in the country next week in a bid to address the continuing shortage.

Households in Tokyo and other urban areas will be the first to receive the masks as they have the largest number of coronavirus cases.

Japan has reported 309 more coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 4,768.

The figure reported on Wednesday includes people found to have the virus in airport quarantine checks, and those who returned to Japan on chartered planes from China.

The number of new coronavirus infection cases in Japan as of Wednesday before noon was 31, bringing the total to 4,490.

The figure includes those found to have the virus in airport quarantine checks, and those who returned to Japan on chartered planes from China.

More than 60 countries and regions have already declared a state of emergency. Here's what it means in Japan.

People in areas subject to the declaration will be asked to stay at home. But it is only a request -- and not mandatory. Public transit will not be stopped because it is deemed an essential service. Supermarkets and stores selling food, medicine and necessary daily goods will also stay open.

The number of new daily coronavirus cases reported in Japan on Tuesday stood at nine as of 11:30 a.m.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 4,108, including people found to have the virus during arrival checks at airports, health ministry and quarantine officials, as well as those who returned to Japan on chartered planes from China.

An advisory panel of experts are meeting with Japanese government ministers ahead of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's expected declaration of a state of emergency. The measure comes as the capital and other major Japanese cities have seen a rapid spread of the coronavirus and an increase in the number of cases with untraceable infection routes.

Government ministers are listening to the experts' opinion before the declaration is issued later on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo says he will declare a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak for Tokyo and six other prefectures as early as Tuesday.

The declaration will cover Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka. It is expected to be in place for about a month.

The Japanese government plans to stock up on enough of the anti-flu drug Avigan for two-million people. The drug is now being clinically tested as a treatment for the coronavirus.

The plan is part of a draft emergency economic package, which is expected to be finalized this week.