Tokyo has registered a record 31,878 new COVID-19 cases in a single day as Japan grapples with a seventh wave of infections.
The previous record of 21,562 new daily cases was set on February 2.
Japan recorded 186,000 new cases nationwide on Thursday, rising from 150,000 on Wednesday and 66,745 new cases on Tuesday.
Tokyo and its fellow major city Osaka had already breached 20,000 daily cases earlier this week, as 25 more of Japan's 47 prefectures also broke record highs.
The number of serious cases and deaths remains low, but officials have warned they are rising.
The surge in cases is being blamed on the BA.5 Omicron sub-variant, however the Japanese government has ruled out the possibility of movement restrictions.
Residents in Tokyo expressed concern.
"I think it's a shocking state of affairs that it's over 30,000 people. Because I live with my grandmother, it makes me feel much more cautious," said 30-year-old office worker Ai Okamura.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, called for the "highest vigilance" against COVID-19 infections.
"New infection cases across Japan has reached its highest level ever and hospital occupancy rate is becoming higher although it depends on the region," he said.
"We need to keep a close eye on the infection situation going forward, including the issue of access to medical services."
ABC/Reuters
