Coronavirus: Japan, infections exceed 660

(ANSA) - TOKYO, JULY 18 - Japan records the maximum daily level of coronavirus cases since the beginning of April, with over 660 infections on Saturday, half of which occur in Tokyo, in what appears to be a progressive expansion in other urban areas of the country . The metropolitan governor of the capital confirmed 290 infections, just below Friday's record, bringing the total to 9,223, almost a third of all cases nationwide. According to the set-up, different areas of the archipelago have found an increase in cases from the end of the state of emergency to the end of May, including the prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba - the outskirts of Tokyo, as well as the city of Osaka with 86 other cases. The emergency minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, said the government would monitor security arrangements in detail before deciding on a possible easing of restrictions, referring to the opening of more spectators to sporting events. On the national front, coronavirus infections settle at 23,656 with 986 confirmed deaths. (HANDLE).