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The Prime Minister in Action
Meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Response to Infectious Diseases that Pose a Threat to Global Society
February 9, 2016
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (2)
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 3rd meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Response to Infectious Diseases that Pose a Threat to Global Society, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the draft of the partial amendment of the Basic Policy on Strengthening Countermeasures for Infectious Diseases that Pose a Threat to Global Society, the draft of the Basic Plan on Strengthening Countermeasures for Infectious Diseases that Pose a Threat to Global Society, Immediate Measures related to the Zika Virus Infectious Disease, and other matters.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“The Ebola virus disease and MERS, and moreover the Zika virus infectious disease that is now spreading through Central and South America, pose a major threat to global society, and responding to infectious diseases is an urgent issue faced by the world.
Based on the discussions at last year's G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, and at the United Nations, today we have determined the first Basic Plan, which expresses in an integrated manner international cooperation and domestic countermeasures in relation to infectious diseases.
Japan will lead international discussions through fora such as the Ise-Shima Summit, where Japan is the G7 chair country. Also, we will advance international cooperation in the fields of human resources, supplies, and funding. In line with this, we will further strengthen our domestic crisis management systems and research systems.
In regard to the Zika virus infectious disease, based on the immediate measures compiled today, we will rapidly carry out border measures, streamline domestic inspection and treatment systems, and provide rapid and accurate information to the people, especially pregnant women. In addition, we will support research on and development of vaccines and treatment drugs.
I would like the relevant cabinet members to closely collaborate and the government to work as one to advance the relevant measures rapidly and in a planned manner. Thank you.”
