Japan's health ministry says 60,108 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed nationwide on Thursday. Officials say 130 people died from the virus.
The number of seriously ill patients increased by fifteen from Wednesday to 281 across the country.
NHK has learned that Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide plans to speak with US President-elect Joe Biden by telephone as early as Thursday.
Suga intends to directly extend his congratulations to Biden when they speak. He hopes to develop a relationship with the president-elect that is built on trust.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide will attend a series of Asian online meetings later this week including a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The meetings are scheduled from Thursday until Sunday.
Japan is easing entry restrictions on Thursday for foreigners from around the world, excluding tourists.
The Japanese government had denied entry of people from 159 countries and regions in principle due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has already resumed businesspeople's travel to and from Vietnam, Taiwan and some other places where infection is under control.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government says it confirmed 250 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Thursday.
Officials say this is a preliminary figure as of 3 p.m.
The number of new cases in Tokyo continues to rise with a record-high 367 infections confirmed so far on Thursday.
At a meeting with experts, Tokyo governor Koike Yuriko called on people and businesses to make every effort to prevent infections.
The Japanese government plans to decide on Thursday whether to lift a state of emergency ahead of schedule in parts of the country.
Restrictions may be eased in more than 30 prefectures where coronavirus infections have declined.
The second group of the passengers from a virus-stricken cruise ship will leave the vessel on Thursday.
The new coronavirus infection has been confirmed in 621 passengers and crewmembers on the Diamond Princess, moored at Yokohama Port, near Tokyo.