The Japanese government on Wednesday expanded quasi-emergency measures to 13 more prefectures, including Tokyo, in a bid to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus fueled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. The restrictions initially imposed in only three regions–Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima–took effect on Friday until Feb. 13. Governors are allowed to shorten business hours and limit the serving of alcohol in the prefectures. “We are battling against an unknown virus, and I hope that we can overcome this situation with sufficient preparation and without excessive fear,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a meeting. The country’s daily infection count surpassed 30,000 for the first time on Tuesday, with government officials attributing the increase to Omicron infections in the country. The 13 additional regions include Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagawa, Niigata, and Gunma. Prior to the announcement, Kishida said the move was deemed …