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On September 25, 2020, Prime Minister Suga held the 43rd meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, the participants discussed the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
 
Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we must prevent the explosive spread of infections as occurred in Europe and the Americas, and work on the protection of the lives and health of the public as the highest priority.
 
According to the analysis from the experts, the number of patients that have newly tested positive in Japan has continued to decrease since the end of July, but from autumn, during the seasonal influenza period, there is a risk of a significant increase in the number of people experiencing symptoms such as fever, resulting in a rapid increase in demand for testing and medical care. For the peace of mind of the citizens, the government will work as one to build a fully-prepared structure that responds to such situations.
 
Firstly, regarding screening structures, we will swiftly secure the capacity to conduct an average of 200,000 tests per day at regional medical institutions, as well as implement screening all at once at medical institutions and care facilities in the areas where infections are spreading.
 
In addition, in order to maintain and secure medical treatment structures in communities, we are providing support to ensure the stable management of medical institutions that accept COVID-19 patients.
 
Furthermore, we will accelerate the development and research of vaccines and therapeutic medication. With regard to vaccines, we aim to secure the amount necessary to cover the entire population before the end of the first half of next year, prioritizing the most the confirmation of safety and effectiveness. Based on this, we will swiftly put a structure in place for smoothly conducting vaccinations.
 
Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, we have recorded the greatest economic decline since the end of the War. In such a situation, we must be attentive to each and every citizen and protect their daily lives, by protecting employment and ensuring business continuity.
 
Even now, we are providing firm support, such as Sustainability Subsidies (Subsidy Program for Sustaining Businesses), Employment Adjustment Subsidies and interest-free unsecured loans. We will implement the necessary measures without hesitation.
 
It is also important to support those who have suffered damages, such as those in tourism, restaurant businesses and the event industry. While premised on squarely taking measures to counter infections, we will launch ‘Go To Events’ and ‘Go To Shopping Street’ campaigns from mid-October once they are ready, with the aim of stimulating demands for arts and culture, sports events, shopping streets and others.
 
Furthermore, resuming the international movement of people is essential for economic revival. The Suga Cabinet will advance its relevant efforts with the policy of resuming the movement of people as much as possible from next month, except tourists, regardless of whether they are Japanese or foreign nationals, after thoroughly conducting tests.
 
The framework for those who wish to enter Japan from the countries and regions where the level of infections is stable, mainly applied for long-term residents, has so far been restricted to those who are necessary for businesses. We will expand the scope of this framework to cover others such as foreign students who will study in Japan or family stays.
 
In addition, regarding new immigrations from other countries and regions, we intend to admit them gradually, while applying certain conditions. With respect to these measures, we will start implementing them from October 1.
 
I ask each minister to make use of the scientific expertise obtained from our response to the spread of infections so far, and continue to exert every effort to implement these measures, in order to balance the prevention of the spread of infections and socio-economic activities.