Streets and trains were as crowded as usual on Monday in areas subject to the nation's third COVID-19 state of emergency, despite calls by the government for companies to implement remote working so as to curb the spread of the virus.

In Tokyo, which was placed under the state of emergency on Sunday along with the prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo, commuters wearing face masks filled crosswalks in the Marunouchi business district.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike had asked people to refrain from coming to Tokyo as much as possible.