Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday the government would consider declaring a state of emergency in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area over a “very severe” third wave of coronavirus infections.

Speaking at a regular New Year press conference, Suga also said he hoped vaccinations would begin in Japan in late February, adding that he would be among the first to receive one.

He urged people to avoid non-essential outings, and said the government would introduce legislation to penalise businesses that flout requests to shorten hours or close, as well as provide incentives to those who abide by such calls.

Suga also insisted the government was still committed to holding the virus-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer, saying the Games would be “proof that mankind overcame the virus”.

Japan imposed a first state of emergency in spring, allowing local governors to call on businesses to close and to request people to stay at home.

The scope of any new emergency remains unclear, though Suga said “limited and focused measures” would be effective, without specifying further.

Suga said the government was expecting vaccine data from US companies by late January, and vaccinations could begin by late February.

The new spike in infections comes little more than six months before Tokyo is set to host the virus-delayed Olympic Games.

Tokyo 2020 was postponed last spring as the scale of the pandemic became clear, but despite optimism from officials and organisers, polls show most Japanese oppose holding the Games this summer, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation.