Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the two countries will cooperate closely in dealing with the new coronavirus, during a 50-minute telephone conversation on Friday.
Trump also told Abe that he appreciates Japan's transparent efforts toward holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics amid the spread of infection.
It was the first time the two leaders have discussed the new coronavirus, and their first telephone talks since Dec. 21 last year. The meeting was held at the request of the U.S. side.
During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation of infections and preventive measures in their respective countries. Abe explained that the Japanese government has called for the cancellation of events and the temporary closure of primary, junior and senior high schools to prevent the spread of the disease.
"We will continue to respond decisively and in a timely manner," he said. As for economic measures, he explained that the Japanese government will implement fiscal measures amounting to about 1.6 trillion yen to fight against the virus.
"[We] want to overcome the virus and make the Olympics successful," Abe also said. Responding to that comment, Trump said that Japan's efforts to prevent the spread of infection in a transparent manner have been clear to the international community.
Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that delaying the Games for a year would be better than holding them without spectators.
According to a Japanese government official, neither of the two leaders mentioned postponing the Games or holding them without spectators during the telephone talks.
"I am aware of President Trump's comments, but the government remains committed to making steady preparations for opening the Games as scheduled," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference on Friday.
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