i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. we start with breaking news.hree prefectures take stricter virus measures. the designation will take effect on monday and remain in place for a month. it will pave the way for changes in the city of osaka, four cities in the neighboring prefecture and northern city of sindai. they plan to ask bars and restaurants to close at 8:00 p.m. and to stay away from kareoke bars which have been linked to many infections. the minister in charge of the coronavirus response says more contagious variants are spreading there. saying he wants to work with the two governors to reduce the number of people traveling to and from the konsai region. >> translator: i would like to work with each to take effective measures. we will do everything we can to prevent infections in the region and to prevent the virus from spreading across the country. >> the governor of osaka prefecture says the public's cooperation is essential to stop another surge in cases. >> translator: as for refraining from non-essential outings, i personally think th