In Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, the suggested changes began on Sunday. One customer said, "It's kind of sad that restaurants close early, but I'll try my best to have fun while adhering to the rules."

At a pub which usually stays open until 1 a.m., the manager said, "It's hard for us to have to close businesses early just when it's getting busy."

Tokyo's prefectural neighbor, Saitama, is due to make the same early closure request to businesses in some entertainment districts.

After hearing from experts on Monday, officials plan to announce a detailed plan that could see hours limited to 10 p.m., for 11 days beginning December 7.

Preventing the spread of the virus -- while working on economic recovery -- remains a challenge, though.

Business travel between Japan and China is resuming on Monday, allowing both short- and long-term stays.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said, "It's extremely important that we resume international travel. I'm pleased about starting up business travel between Japan and China even if it begins in phased stages."

Chinese travelers with resident status in Japan made their way through Narita Airport near Tokyo on Friday.

One said, "A plane combines a closed, crowded and close-contact setting all in one, in my view. So I'm worried."

Japanese officials reported 2,066 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday. The health ministry says that as of Sunday, a record 462 people with severe symptoms were being treated with respirators and intensive care.