Kyodo News reports that a new lottery for ticket holders could be held, while Prime Minister Minister Yoshihide will decide tomorrow what to do about the 10 prefectures including Tokyo currently in a semi-state of emergency.

The expectation is that they will be placed under full state-of-emergency measures.

Tokyo reported 920 new coronavirus cases today, the biggest increase since the middle of May.

"Infections in Tokyo are trending upward, and we will take every necessary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus," Suga said, per Kyodo News.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony is due to take place on July 23, but that could be held in front of just VIPs with all other spectators expected to be banned amid concerns over rising COVID-19 figures.

It has been widely reported by Japanese media that the country's Government is looking to bar fans from sessions scheduled to take place after 9pm.

That means only VIPs are expected to attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games.

The spectator limit - due to be 10,000 or 50 per cent of a venue's capacity - also appears likely to be cut.

The 10,000-spectatlor limit was implemented under the assumption that Tokyo would no longer be under a quasi-state of emergency which is due to end on Sunday (July 11), but that is now highly unlikely.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is set to arrive in Japan tomorrow, as the pandemic continues to loom large over Games preparations.

The Olympic Torch Relay will be taken off public roads in Tokyo for health reasons, with the last leg set to begin on Friday (July 9) and spanning over 15 days.

Meanwhile, World Athletics yesterday told insidethegames it was "surprised" by the decision from Tokyo 2020 to ask spectators in Sapporo not to attend the marathon and race walking events after organisers said it was necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.