African Female Leaders Discuss Food Supply At Intl. Conference In Tokyo

African female leaders discuss food supply at intl. conference in Tokyo

Female leaders from African countries attending an international conference in Tokyo have stressed the need to take measures to ensure a stable food supply.

The first Asia Pacific Africa Women's Economic Exchange Summit opened on Monday. The conference was organized by a Japanese organization supporting African nations. Participants include female leaders from seven African countries, such as Uganda and Malawi and Japanese lawmakers.

Japan To Boost Supply Of Face Masks

Japan to boost supply of face masks

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide has said the government will step up efforts to secure face mask supplies in case of a further spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Suga told reporters on Wednesday that about one billion face masks were available in Japan in August, and roughly half were produced domestically.

Japan, Pfizer Agree Over Supply Of Vaccine

Japan, Pfizer agree over supply of vaccine

Japan's government and major US pharmaceutical company Pfizer have reached an agreement over the supply of a coronavirus vaccine.

Japanese health minister Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Friday that under the deal, if Pfizer succeeds in developing the vaccine, it will supply Japan with 120 million doses for 60 million people by the end of June, 2021. A person needs to be vaccinated twice.

Japan To Seek Increased Medical Supply Production

Japan to seek increased medical supply production

Japan's government is will call on companies to help address the shortage of masks and other medical supplies designed to protect medical professionals treating coronavirus patients .

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will make the call at a teleconference on Wednesday with medical product makers and firms interested in starting to produce such items. He is to ask for the increased production of face masks, sanitizers, ventilators and other products.

Keidanren Calls On Members To Supply Masks

Keidanren calls on members to supply masks

The Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, is calling on member companies to supply industrial masks that can be repurposed for medical use.

Keidanren put out the call to its roughly 1,400 members on Monday, in response to a government request.

Softbank To Supply 300 Million Masks Per Month

SoftBank to supply 300 million masks per month

Japanese telecom giant SoftBank Group says it will supply 300 million face masks per month for Japan in a bid to ease the shortage.

SoftBank Group says under a deal with Chinese firm BYD, it will supply 200 million regular surgical masks and 100 million advanced masks called N95 respirator per month starting from May.

Masks Remain In Short Supply In Japan

Masks remain in short supply in Japan

Face masks have been in short supply in Japan amid the coronavirus outbreak as well as hay fever.

The industry ministry says domestic mask makers are operating around the clock to triple their outputs to about 100-million masks a week.

Coronavirus May Hit Toyota Supply Chain To Its 16 Japan Factories

Coronavirus may hit Toyota supply chain to its 16 Japan factories

TOKYO — Toyota on Wednesday said that operations at its plants in Japan may be affected by supply chain issues linked to the new coronavirus outbreak in the coming weeks, as the global outbreak gathers pace.

The automaker, which operates 16 vehicle and components sites in Japan, said that it would decide on how to continue operations at its domestic plants from the week of March 9, after keeping output normal through the week of March 2.

Suga: Mask Supply Up To 600 Mil. Next Month

Suga: Mask supply up to 600 mil. next month

Japan's top government spokesperson says the supply of face masks will increase to more than 600 million per month from March amid a severe shortage across the country.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Thursday that the government is working to resolve the shortage as soon as possible while closely monitoring mask production and distribution.

Surgical Masks In Short Supply

Surgical masks in short supply

Surgical masks are in short supply in parts of Tokyo, as people rush to get them to protect themselves from the new coronavirus.

A drugstore in the Shibuya district reports that sales of surgical masks are roughly five-fold the normal amount.

Suga Comments On Port To Give Supply To Destroyer

Suga comments on port to give supply to destroyer

The Japanese government's top spokesperson has said a Maritime Self-Defense Force ship will receive supplies at a port in the Middle East on waters where an information-gathering mission is planned. But he did not name a specific port.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Wednesday about a government plan to send the destroyer Takanami to the area next month. The ship will gather information to ensure the safety of commercial ships with ties to Japan.