TOKYO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said here on Monday that he is determined to host the Tokyo Olympic Games despite the worsening spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Suga told a press conference that the country will prepare for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games with "determination" and take all possible measures against the infection and deliver "hope and courage" to the whole world.

Suga added that his government would consider declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo and the surrounding areas, which have suffered most in the past few weeks.

New infections in Tokyo hit a record 1,337 on December 31, and Japan's health ministry said there were 3,045 new COVID-19 cases across the country that day.

Since the start of the pandemic, the country has recorded more than 240,000 total cases, according to Japan's health ministry. ■