[Provisional translation]
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister stated:
“This meeting follows on from last week’s session. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Let us respond to this situation with an even greater sense of urgency and speed to ensure that the lives, livelihoods, and economic activities of the Japanese people are not disrupted.
Yesterday we held the Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit, where I announced the launch of the ‘Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia,’ or ‘POWERR Asia.’
For Japan, which imports various critical petroleum-derived goods from Asia, including medical supplies, this initiative will help ensure a stable domestic supply and strengthen the Japanese economy.
As part of our domestic measures, subsidies for gasoline, diesel, heavy oil, kerosene, among others, are being continued, and this week’s average gasoline price nationwide is being kept at around 170 yen.
We received a report today that the necessary quantity for Japan as a whole has been secured, and that progress is being made in resolving distribution bottlenecks occurring in some areas.
First, with regard to thinners, which have been a source of concern for those in the painting industry, Minister Akazawa and Minister Kaneko identified bottlenecks and promoted the sharing of information on raw material supplies between the public and private sectors, thereby enhancing the predictability of raw material procurement across all levels of the supply chain. As a result, shipments from thinner manufacturers have recovered and the situation is improving.
Furthermore, some housing equipment manufacturers had been holding back on accepting new orders for prefabricated bathrooms due to shortages of raw materials.
As in the case of thinners, bottlenecks were identified, and Minister Akazawa promoted similar efforts across all levels of the supply chain. As a result, the resumption of new orders has been announced.
In the healthcare sector, which is directly linked to people’s lives, as shown in this handout, steady progress is being made in addressing distribution bottlenecks for items such as disinfectants, needles for dialysis, and blood donation bags.
In the medical field, no contingencies can be tolerated. I instruct Minister Ueno to work in close coordination with Minister Akazawa and make every effort to achieve zero bottlenecks in the medical sector.
We have received concerns from local clinics and dental practices regarding the supply of medical gloves. In response, starting in May, the Government will release 50 million medical gloves from its pandemic stockpile to medical institutions facing supply constraints. The Government currently holds nearly 500 million medical gloves available for release. Requests for required quantities will be accepted through the Gathering Medical Information System for medical institutions, and supplies will be released in a timely manner. We ask for your reassurance.
Regarding requests for ‘direct fuel sales from oil refiners,’ we were able to secure supplies this week across various sectors including agriculture.
For example, as the rice planting season is set to get into full swing, direct supplies of diesel and gasoline have been arranged for the only gas station in an area where there had been concerns about fuel procurement. In addition, for green tea entering the first flush season, supplies of heavy oil have been arranged for producers that had reported difficulties.
As shown in the handout, we have steadily addressed issues one by one not only in the medical field but also in sectors that support the lives and livelihoods of the public.
We continue to hear concerns from the public regarding a wide range of items, including agricultural materials and soap. I request Minister Akazawa to work in close coordination with the relevant ministers and, in an even more proactive manner, gain a full picture of supply chains and resolve bottlenecks to ensure a stable supply of critical goods.
Japan relies on imports from Asian countries for certain medical supplies, including dialysis components and containers for blood waste. Disruptions in supply chains in Asia have a direct impact on the procurement of medical supplies for Japan. I instruct Minister Ueno to work in close coordination with Minister Akazawa and make every effort to ensure a stable supply of medical supplies, making use of the POWERR Asia framework.
I believe that the designation of ‘Specified Critical Products’ under the Economic Security Promotion Act is an effective measure for addressing supply chain risks, such as those arising from the current situation in the Middle East. Ministers Akazawa and Ueno have reported that they are actively considering such designations. I instruct all ministers responsible for items directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of the public to work in coordination with Minister Onoda, review supply chain risks, and advance consideration of such designations. That is all from me.”