Tokyo residents told to avoid travel outside city

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Thursday called upon residents in Tokyo to refrain from traveling outside the capital as Japan is entering the "Obon" holidays - during which Japanese families customarily visit their parents in their hometowns.

"Please refrain from traveling far. I'm saying this because this summer is special," said Koike.

Tokyo stopped short of declaring an emergency, but Koike said the city stood ready, if needed. The capital has already issued a softer warning, urging people to stay home. Reported coronavirus cases have been surging recently, totaling 360 for Thursday.

Japan has never had a total lockdown but asked businesses to close and people to work from home after the government issued a national state of emergency in April. The restrictions were lifted in late May.

Japan has more than 43,400 confirmed coronavirus cases, and about 1,000 deaths according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.