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On April 16, 2020, the Prime Minister held the second meeting with companies contributing to the increased production of personal protective equipment and other supplies, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“Thank you for attending the meeting despite your busy schedules today.

Last week, we issued the declaration of a state of emergency. Medical systems are being stretched across the country due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Healthcare workers, who are exactly on the frontlines in the fight against the novel coronavirus, are right now devoting themselves to saving as many lives as possible with a strong sense of responsibility. I would like to once again express my heartfelt respect for them. In order to support healthcare workers, who are in harsh environments fraught with the risk of infection, we must do whatever we can as an All Japan effort.

From such a standpoint, the government has obtained cooperation from the business community with respect to surgical masks, sanitizers, and personal protective equipment such as medical gowns, which are vital for infection prevention, as well as medical devices including ventilators, and the therapeutic medication Avigan, among other supplies. We are exerting every effort to increase the production of these supplies, in cooperation with the business community. The government has been implementing unprecedented measures such as subsidies for capital investment to mask factories and other manufacturing facilities, and support for the procurement of raw materials. In addition, it is making every possible effort such as expediting the screening process for the approval of new ventilators and deregulation on the use of alcohol. Amidst such efforts, the government has been able to deliver, to hospitals nationwide, necessary personal protective equipment, including 45 million surgical masks.

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation once again to all business operators that have made significant contributions amidst the national crisis so as to deliver necessary supplies to healthcare workers facing extremely severe conditions in the fight against the virus. It is necessary to mobilize all the resources in this nation to support healthcare workers, not only those of existing medical equipment manufacturers but also those of other industries, such as automobile and airlines that are in attendance today. As the Prime Minister, I would like to make a strong request for your even greater assistance. I am looking forward to today’s discussions.”

In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister said,

“I express my sincere appreciation for your very encouraging words today.

In the fight against the novel coronavirus, medical masks, sanitizers, medical gowns, as well as ventilators—these are all vital items for healthcare workers on the frontline. With respect to the therapeutic medication Avigan, it has been reported that it shows some effect in improving symptoms of COVID-19 under observational studies. Overseas countries are showing strong interest in it. The government intends to expand its use to cover as many patients as possible, who wish to take it under the framework of current observational studies. I would like to thank you all sincerely for your cooperation. At the same time, I ask for your continued assistance in the fight against this virus, so that we can improve the situation at medical sites as much as possible.

I am fully aware that we must firmly secure the production of such important supplies, which are crucial to public health, and their supply chain in Japan. With such a sense of urgency, we have decided to implement bold budgetary measures by increasing the subsidy rate for capital investment so as to encourage business operators, in these emergency economic measures. In response to Mr. Saraya’s point, if by any chance these supplies are left unsold, the government will purchase them for our reserves. We have already secured the budget for that in the emergency economic measures. So, please rest assured and increase production to the fullest. We have already secured a total budget of 250 billion yen so as to procure personal protective equipment, including the previous measures. We also intend to utilize contingency funds without hesitation if necessary. Moving forward, we will also continue to take all possible measures, including support to secure raw materials and flexible application of relevant regulations.

I would like to close my remarks by promising that we will exert every effort together to protect healthcare workers, who are even now working tirelessly on the forefront, by all means. I also ask for your continued cooperation. Thank you.”