A governor in central Japan has issued a state of emergency due to surging coronavirus cases, asking people and businesses to curb non-essential activities.

Aichi Prefecture, which includes the major city of Nagoya, has been seeing more than 100 new infections daily since mid-July, after an extended period of zero new daily cases.

Governor Hideaki Ohmura told reporters Thursday that businesses are being asked to close altogether or close early, while people are being asked to stay home at night, to prevent infections from spreading.

The measures will continue through August 24, coinciding with the Obon holidays, when schools and companies close and people travel across the country.

Ohmura said, "The situation we are in is very serious."

Japan has not had a lockdown and voluntary emergency measures put in place in April, asking for social distancing, were gradually lifted.

Some have criticized the Japanese government for its inadequate response to the pandemic.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated during a press conference in Hiroshima there is no immediate need to declare another state of emergency in Japan.

He said, "The aim is to prevent the spread of infections as much as possible while also keeping social and economic activity going."

Last week, Okinawa Prefecture declared its own local emergency, and other regional governments may take similar action.

Japan's daily number of new coronavirus cases on Wednesday topped 1,300.

So far it has reported nearly 42,700 cases and about 1,000 deaths, according to official figures.

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