The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it will raise the coronavirus alert to the highest level on Thursday amid a recent surge in infections.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has inspected venues for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Bach is now visiting Japan for the first time since the decision was made in March to postpone the Tokyo Games to next year.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has expressed confidence that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be held successfully next year and also emphasized that safety for spectators is a top priority.

Bach held a joint news conference in Tokyo with the president of the Tokyo Organising Committee, Mori Yoshiro, on Monday. He earlier met Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach say they will work together closely to hold the Tokyo Olympics next year.

The two met at the prime minister's office on Monday. Bach is visiting Japan for the first time since the decision was made in March to postpone the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 180 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday.

The daily tally in the capital has fallen below 200 for the first time since November 9.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says officials confirmed 352 new coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital on Saturday.

It is the fourth straight day that the daily tally has exceeded 300.

Japan is considering easing the 14-day quarantine requirement for foreigners visiting Japan for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Officials from the Japanese government, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Tokyo organizing committee met at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday.

A panel of infectious disease experts has urged people in Tokyo to be on high alert for the coronavirus as a rapid increase in infections is just beginning.

Officials of the Tokyo metropolitan government and experts on public health and infectious diseases met on Thursday to assess the coronavirus situation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says 393 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in the Japanese capital on Thursday.

The daily tally has topped 390 for the first time since August 8. It has exceeded the 300 mark for two days in a row.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say they confirmed 317 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Wednesday.

This is the first time since August 20 that the daily tally has exceeded 300. It is also the second straight day for the figure to surpass 200.

The coronavirus continues to spread in Japan, with several prefectures reporting more than 100 cases on Tuesday.

The daily tally in Tokyo topped 100 for 8 days in a row. The number of cases tends to be low on Monday and Tuesday because fewer virus tests are conducted over weekends.

International gymnastic officials have shared information on anti-coronavirus measures taken at their recent event with Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizers.

The Friendship and Solidarity Competition in Tokyo on Sunday was the first international meet for an Olympic sport held in Japan since the pandemic began.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials confirmed 293 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Tuesday.

The figure is the second-highest tally for a Tuesday since the virus was first confirmed in Tokyo in January.

Stocks were up sharply in Tokyo on Monday after Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential election ended the uncertainty during the vote count.

The benchmark Nikkei Average ended the morning session at 24,799, up 473 points or 1.95 percent compared to Friday's close. The Nikkei extended its gain this month to about 8 percent and is at the highest level in 29 years.