Japan's Environment Ministry is planning its first trial outside Fukushima Prefecture on the reuse of soil that was decontaminated after the 2011 nuclear accident.

The ministry says the demonstration will take place at the National Environmental Research and Training Institute in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo.

An expert advisory panel to Japan's health ministry has warned that coronavirus infections are rapidly picking up in some regional cities.

The panel on Thursday said infections are spreading from Tokyo to regional areas since the lifting of the state of emergency in late May. They said cases are increasing in regional cities, mainly at nightclubs and restaurants that are not likely to be following prevention guidelines.

Japan's health authorities confirmed seven new cases of coronavirus infection on Thursday. That brings the total number of patients outside passengers and crew from the ship to over 90.

Among the new cases, a man in his 80s has tested positive in Kanagawa. He had been staying at a hospital where an elderly woman who died from the virus had received care.