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On August 3, 2020, the Prime Minister attended a Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“With regard to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the number of cases of infection is increasing again even at the nationwide level. Meanwhile, the number of patients with severe symptoms, who are currently hospitalized, has been fluctuating at around 80 people nationwide and about 20 people in Tokyo over the past few days. First and foremost, we will collaborate with prefectural governments to strengthen screening structures, and promote the early detection and early treatment of those who are infected. In particular, we will thoroughly conduct screening at medical institutions and care facilities for the elderly, and exert every effort to prevent the spread of infections among people at high risk of developing severe symptoms, such as the elderly and persons with underlying conditions. Furthermore, the Government will make efforts to develop therapeutic medicine and vaccines, as well as control the spread of infections as much as possible and firmly promote socio-economic activities.

Last month’s heavy rain caused severe damage across vast areas, including the Kyushu, Chubu, and Tohoku regions. Even now, many evacuees still have to endure difficult living conditions. Our concerted recovery efforts with the local governments affected by the disaster have been advancing the restoration of community infrastructure at a fast pace, such as moving residents into temporary housing facilities in the village of Kuma. Last week, the Government compiled a policy package towards the rebuilding of daily lives and livelihoods of the disaster victims. As the first response under this package, we have decided to disburse a total of approximately 100 billion yen of contingency funds. We will continue to exert every effort for the recovery and reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas at the earliest time possible, so as to enable the disaster victims to rebuild their daily lives with hope.

On August 6 and August 9, I will participate in peace memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively. This year marks a milestone of 75 years since the atomic bombings. I will offer my sincere condolences for the souls of those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings. The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, brought about by nuclear weapons, must never be repeated. As the only country in the world to have suffered an atomic bombing during wartime, in order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, I am resolved to take a leadership role in the international community, by firmly upholding the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and building a bridge between both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. At the same time, I will continue to steadily advance comprehensive support measures for the atomic bomb survivors.

Recently, we compiled the new Basic Policy (on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform) and the Investments for the Future Strategy, following intensive discussions in the ruling parties. In addition, we have decided to extend the deadline of the budget requests for the next fiscal year by one month to the end of September and make its process and procedures as simple as possible. Japan will pave its way to the future by implementing bold societal transformation amidst the world facing the COVID-19 pandemic, a historic crisis. We will exert every effort in order to swiftly realize a new normal for everyday life, and firmly return the Japanese economy to a recovery trajectory, working together with the ruling parties. I would like to ask for your continued support.”