Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has pledged that the government will do all it can to protect the elderly and other vulnerable people from coronavirus infections.

Abe told a meeting of government and ruling party members on Monday that new case counts are rising across the country. The number of severely ill patients stands at 80 nationwide.

TOKYO — Toyota Chief Executive Akio Toyoda promised Friday that the Japanese auto industry would seek to protect jobs worldwide as it endures the coronavirus pandemic.

Toyoda, speaking as head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said he was worried the Japanese economy might be destroyed before the world can win the fight against the sickness caused by COVID-19.