Japan Mulls Maintaining State Of Emergency
The Japanese government is considering plans to maintain the current state of emergency in order to ensure the smooth rollout of coronavirus vaccinations.
The number of new infections in Japan is on the decline and the medical care system is gradually improving. But the pace of decline has been slowing and the number of cases in which infection routes cannot be traced remains flat or slightly higher.
Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is in charge of coronavirus response, suggested on Wednesday that there is a need to lower the strain on medical workers as much as possible as they must deal with the coronavirus, ordinary medical services and vaccinations.
Regarding the state of emergency, discussions are expected to take place at an expert panel meeting at the health ministry on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide plans to observe vaccinations on Thursday in Tokyo, following the start of inoculations on Wednesday.
The government says it will make every effort to consolidate the system to promote vaccinations, providing any information including side effects the vaccine may cause.