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On June 3, 2020, the Prime Minister held an exchange of views with the three economic associations at the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccinations at workplaces.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

 “I would like to express my appreciation for your attendance at this meeting today, despite your busy schedule. While the impact of COVID-19 becomes prolonged, the business community has responded to the requests for temporary closure and teleworking, admitted patients to corporate hospitals, among others. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your tremendous cooperation.

The Government is resolved to contain and bring an end to infections as early as possible, and our trump card to this end is the vaccine.

As full-scale inoculations for the elderly are underway around the country, we decided to ask companies to start COVID-19 vaccinations at workplaces from mid-June onward where in-house occupational physicians play a major role in administering the vaccines.

We are truly grateful that a large number of companies have already expressed their intention to launch such inoculation drive, and this made me realize once again that there are high hopes for the vaccines. The progress in workplace vaccinations will significantly reduce the burden on local governments and expedite overall inoculations, and this holds great significance for the business operations as well. We hope that even more companies will follow suit.

We believe that the Government and business community need to work as one to proceed with this new initiative in a smooth and swift manner. I sincerely ask for your cooperation, as we will make thorough efforts to provide necessary support.

For this purpose, we will start with establishing a one-stop portal under Minister Kono early next week, in addition to consultation services provided by the relevant ministries and agencies. I would like to hear your candid views today. Thank you.”