The government will launch a contact-tracing smartphone app by the end of the week that it hopes will help to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections.
The app will notify users who have been in close proximity with people infected with the novel coronavirus.
The government is also planning for the full resumption on Friday of interprefectural travel and the operation of such businesses as restaurants.
"The app is currently in the final stages of development. The aim is to release it this week," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference on Monday.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the app uses Bluetooth, a short-range wireless communication function in smartphones, to record the distances between users and the duration of the contact. Use of the app will be voluntary.
If a user tests positive for the virus, notifications will be sent to other users who have been within a one-meter radius of the person for at least 15 minutes.
It is hoped that people who receive the notification will take a virus test as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary travel.
Due to privacy concerns, location information, personal data and the date and time of encounters with infected individuals will not be included in the notifications.
"It's a safe app that doesn't acquire users to provide any personal information at all. It will help to prevent the spread of infections as the number of users increases," Suga said, calling for active use of the app.
Meanwhile, the government has said the resumption of social and economic activities will go ahead as scheduled despite 47 new coronavirus cases recorded in Tokyo on Sunday, and 48 on Monday.
Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said at a press conference on Monday that the increase in the number of infected cases is "because we've been recommending the testing of workers in the hospitality industry. Businesses have been cooperative and mass screenings have been conducted."
"It's a sign of a positive approach. We're not planning to change anything about the policy on Friday," he said.
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