New coronavirus cases have hit a record high in Japan, spurred by the Omicron variant.
The government plans to announce a quasi-state of emergency in Tokyo and 12 other prefectures, giving governors the power to beef up anti-infection measures.

Authorities across Japan confirmed more than 32,000 infections on Tuesday. The previous record of nearly 26,000 cases was set in August.

Three prefectures, Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima, are already using intensive measures to combat the surge. Soon, Tokyo, its neighbors and several other prefectures could join them.

The central government will consult experts before announcing an official decision on Wednesday.

Tokyo is seeing one of the nation's worst outbreaks. It surpassed 5,000 new infections on Tuesday.

More than 10,000 infected people are now isolating at home. They all have mild symptoms or none at all.
Hospitals are also beginning to see an uptick. More than 20 percent of beds set aside for coronavirus patients are full.

If Tokyo's request for a quasi-emergency is granted, businesses may be asked to close early or place limits on customers.

Osaka has not yet asked to take that step. But it is considering it. The prefecture reported nearly 5,400 cases on Tuesday, a new record.