Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government will work to make sure healthcare services are available to deal with coronavirus infections during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Suga was speaking on Monday at a government taskforce meeting that was called to discuss measures against the virus.
Japan's prime minister said his administration will consider revising the law so that subsidies and penalties can be used in combination to enforce shorter business hours at bars and restaurants.
Suga Yoshihide mentioned the plan at a news conference on Friday. He called on people to avoid gatherings during year-end and New Year holidays to contain a surge in coronavirus cases.
Unusually heavy snowfall for this time of the year is wreaking havoc across many parts of Japan. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has instructed his cabinet ministers to provide support for local governments affected.
Suga held a meeting with relevant Cabinet ministers on Thursday, as the heavy snow is forecast to continue this week.
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is facing criticism for dining out with more than five people despite the government's call to avoid such gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The opposition criticized Suga for dining at a steak restaurant in Tokyo with ruling Liberal Democratic Party officials Nikai Toshihiro and Hayashi Motoo and other celebrities.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says his government will try to report to the UN by next November on how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 2030.
Suga made the remark in his video message for an on-line summit commemorating the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Under the agreement, each country must determine and regularly report on its contributions to mitigate global warming.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government will establish a fund of 2 trillion yen, or over 19 billion dollars, to reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
He made the announcement at a news conference on Friday.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is pledging to do whatever it takes to contain the new coronavirus.
Suga said, "We must stay vigilant, as the number of new cases and seriously ill patients recently hit record highs. The situation at hospitals is becoming urgent, as serious cases threaten to overwhelm the number of available beds. We are facing a sense of crisis. Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people -- this is the top priority of my administration."
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has called on the international community to create a "united world" to overcome the coronavirus crisis.
Suga delivered a speech by video link at the special session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has said the government is planning to extend its Go To Travel discount campaign beyond the original expiry date of January 30 next year.
Suga discussed the subsidy program during a meeting of the government's tourism promotion taskforce.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has urged the three branches of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to overcome boundaries between them in order to better respond to new challenges.
Suga addressed around 800 members of the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces on Saturday at an air review ceremony at Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has asked for the public's cooperation over the next three weeks to stem a resurgence in coronavirus infections.
In his comment on Thursday, Suga described the three weeks as an extremely crucial period.
The Japanese prime minister has told the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince that Japan will support the Middle Eastern country's reforms centered on industrial diversification and reducing its dependence on crude oil.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman talked on the phone on Thursday.
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has strongly urged Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to act positively on maritime and security issues around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Wang made a courtesy visit on Suga at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday. They talked for about 20 minutes.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo later on Wednesday. Japan is aiming to continue high-level bilateral talks.
Wang is the first Chinese high-ranking official to visit Japan since the launch of Suga's Cabinet.