Japan's top government spokesperson has reiterated that no coronavirus-related restrictions on people's activities will be imposed in principle unless a new strain more powerful than the Omicron variant emerges.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu was speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

Matsuno said numbers of new coronavirus cases across the nation are on an uptrend, with the northern prefecture of Hokkaido posting record daily highs. He noted that the occupancy rate of hospital beds in the prefecture is also rising.

Matsuno vowed to monitor the situation across the country with a sense of urgency.

But he added that the government has no intention of enforcing new restrictions if a new outbreak is caused by a variant on par with the Omicron variant in infectiousness and pathogenicity.

He said the basic stance of the government is to maintain socioeconomic activities while keeping up anti-infection measures.

Matsuno touched on possible suspension of the government's travel discount campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism, saying it is up to each prefecture to decide whether to continue with the program.

But he added that the government is closely watching the infection situation and will decide accordingly.

Matsuno also said the government will work out specific measures in consultation with an expert panel if a surge in infections strains the nation's healthcare system.