Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference on the COVID-19 coronavirus in Tokyo on December 25, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is considering announcing a state of emergency for capital Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, according to local media reports.

Tokyo reported 816 new daily COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a day after governors from the capital and neighboring prefectures called on the Japanese government to announce a state of emergency to combat a recent surge in cases.

The government is giving top priority to quick assessment of coronavirus vaccines for regulatory approval and stepping up preparations to start vaccinations against the coronavirus as early as late February, said Suga.