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On March 21, 2020, the Prime Minister attended the third Intensive Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Real Economy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“I would like to express my appreciation to you for coming to the Prime Minister’s Office today despite your busy schedules.
 
As you are fully aware of, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections are spreading. The government is prioritizing the protection of the health of the public above all, and we are exerting every effort to prevent the spread of infections, and prevent symptoms from getting severe and control outbreaks.
 
Amidst this situation, the economy is also being enormously impacted.
 
At this third hearing being held today, we have gathered small- and medium-sized business operators and retail-store owners and would like to hear your frank views.
 
The Abe administration is resolved to protect employment. We would like you to make an effort to preserve jobs in your workplace, while we have made a request that could shrink business activities, which will lead to a stalemate of our economy; we also want to build our knowledge so as to maintain employment.
 
For the time being, we will firstly exert every effort to prevent the disease and contain it. Beyond that, we intend to achieve a V-shaped recovery by undertaking bold economic measures. To that end, I would like to listen to the voices of those who are working at the frontlines like you today.
 
I ask you to provide your frank views on whether the policy measures have been meeting your needs, what issues are troubling you, and what sort of policy measures you need.
 
As the economy is suffering a blow, we intend to employ a bold economic policy that is necessary and sufficient to counterbalance the blow and its magnitude. We would like to incorporate your views expressed today into it. I would like to ask for your cooperation.”