Authorities in Japan are racing to contain a surge in coronavirus infections, ahead of upcoming summer holidays. Tokyo remains the major hotspot. Metropolitan government officials confirmed 258 new cases in the capital on Monday.

It's the seventh consecutive day with more than 200 infections. Across the country, the total number of infections has topped 40,000.

The coronavirus shows no signs of a summer slowdown in Japan as the upward trend continues. Officials are turning a worried eye to the season's upcoming holidays.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is calling on people to keep taking thorough measures against the virus.

Officials in Tokyo have called for precautionary measures against the coronavirus at night clubs in the Shinjuku Kabukicho area, one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan.

The recent surge in virus infections in the capital is partly blamed on nightlife drinking locations, such as host or hostess bars.

Japan's top government spokesperson has suggested that police could inspect bars and nightclubs to check if they are taking strict measures against the coronavirus.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide spoke to reporters on Monday about how to deal with bars and nightclubs where cases of the virus have been confirmed.

Japan's minister in charge of the country's coronavirus response and the Tokyo governor have met after 224 new cases were recorded in the capital. They agreed to step up measures in nightlife areas to prevent a further increase in infections.

Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi and Governor Koike Yuriko spoke to reporters after their meeting on Thursday.

The head of an expert panel advising the Japanese government says it's too early to assess whether nationwide measures against the coronavirus outbreak are having the desired effect.

Omi Shigeru spoke to reporters at a news conference on Friday held by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

About a month has passed since European countries began lockdowns to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. They are now divided over whether to ease or continue their approach.

On Tuesday, Austria partially eased its lockdown and other strict measures that had been in place since last month. Some shops in Vienna, including clothing shops, reopened for the first time in a month. Pedestrian traffic appears to be gradually increasing.

In Japan, more people are being asked to take steps to slow down a surge in coronavirus infections.

People in Tokyo are adjusting to a sudden lifestyle shift as the number of cases there topped 2,000.

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.

Japanese lawmakers resumed Diet deliberations on Friday after a two-day suspension due to the declaration of a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.

At an Upper House plenary session, lawmakers wearing facemasks disinfected their hands before entering the chamber. They avoided sitting next to each other.

Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus measures has warned of additional restrictions if the current efforts to reduce social contact are found to be inadequate.

Nishimura Yasutoshi made the remark during a teleconference with the leaders of major business organizations on Thursday.

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is expected to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures on Tuesday in a bid to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

The move comes as Tokyo and other major Japanese cities experience a rapid spread of the virus and an increase in the number of cases with untraceable infection routes.

The Japanese government is considering asking all international travelers to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Authorities are set to finalize additional quarantine measures at a meeting of its coronavirus taskforce on Wednesday.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has put together its draft proposals on a stimulus package to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It calls for measures of a larger scale than those taken during the 2008 global financial crisis.

The draft includes a proposal of 20 trillion yen, or about 186 billion dollars, in fiscal spending and 60 trillion yen, or about 560 billion dollars, for businesses.