Speaking at a symposium of the Yomiuri International Economic Society (YIES) in Tokyo on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed a sense of crisis about the spread of the novel coronavirus, saying, "[Cases] leveled off for a time, but have recently started to increase and expand across a wider area."
He went on to say, "Vaccines are the decisive measure for controlling infections," showing his determination to do his best to prepare the way for vaccinations.
According to Suga, the government plans to give vaccines to medical workers and elderly people first, after confirming safety and effectiveness. To resolve issues stemming from freezer storage and transportation of vaccines, the government has set up a team of officials at the Prime Minister's Office from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry and the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. "All relevant ministries and agencies are taking measures," Suga said.
To prevent the further spread of infections, Suga urged the public to "have a quiet year-end and New Year holiday," pointing out that "medical institutions have no choice but to scale down their operations" in the holiday season.
Regarding measures against global warming, Suga said the government aims to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. The remark reflects his policy of promoting electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles, which use hydrogen, as the prime means of achieving the goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.
The YIES was founded in 1972 by a Japanese consortium of major companies, think tanks, experts and resident diplomats. Multiple times a year, it invites key people from Japan and abroad to give lectures.
A video of the speech dubbed in English can be viewed free of charge on The Japan News website.
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