Kishida Ends Covid Recuperation Period, Resumes In - Person Duties
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has recovered from COVID-19. He resumed official duties in person on Wednesday.
Kishida tested positive for the coronavirus on August 21. After that, he worked online from his official residence, which is located next to the prime minister's office.
Kishida will hold a news conference on Wednesday before noon. He will talk about steps that will be taken to deal with the coronavirus. These include an easing of border control measures and a plan to move up the date on which people will be able to receive booster vaccinations that target the Omicron variant.
Kishida is also expected to explain that lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will be urged to thoroughly sever ties with the former Unification Church, which is now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. He will say that the LDP will work hard to restore public trust. This comes after reports of relations between its members and the religious group.
Kishida is expected to explain that the government plans to provide relief to victims of so-called "spiritual sales" practices.
The prime minister will also explain why the government has decided to hold a state funeral for slain former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo next month. Public opinion is divided over the decision to hold the funeral.