Tokyo's Gov. Yuriko Koike and the governors of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures made the request during a meeting with Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is Japan's Economy Minister in charge of the government's coronavirus response.
At a news conference after the meeting, Nishimura said that the government will consider the request the governors made after consulting with health experts.
He added that he shares the view that the situation in the metropolitan area is "severe" and the "issuance of a state of emergency is in sight."
Governors warn of infection surge: The four governors called the recent surge a "crisis situation" that could have a major impact on the health care system.
They argued measures need to be strengthened immediately and further cooperation with the national government is necessary under a special anti-coronavirus law.
Tokyo reported 814 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday after it reaching an all-time high of 1,337 cases on Thursday -- exceeding 1,000 for the first time.