Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > June 2021 > Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties
The Prime Minister in Action
Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties
June 15, 2021
[Provisional Translation]
On June 15, 2021, the Prime Minister attended a Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister’s Office.
In the opening, the Prime Minister said,
“The debate between party leaders took place in the Diet last week. I answered questions from opposition parties regarding our responses to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the same time, I gave a careful explanation of my views on these issues. I intend to continue to thoroughly explain issues that are of high interest to the public.
The current ordinary Diet session is in the final stage. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the members of the ruling parties for their cooperation thus far. Meanwhile, we will respond with a sense of urgency in order to enact the remaining bills. The Government will thoroughly implement COVID-19 countermeasures to protect the lives and health of the people and provide robust support for businesses and employment of those affected. Moreover, we will steadily proceed with reforms that will make our economy strong in the post-COVID-19 period. Therefore, I would like to ask for further cooperation of the ruling parties.
I attended the G7 Summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. This was my first summit to participate in, but I believe that I was warmly welcomed as a member of the team and was able to exchange candid opinions because of the format of the G7, which shares universal values such as freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. In addition, we clearly reflected the outcomes in the Summit Communiqué.
As the international community faces various challenges, including COVID-19, climate change, economic recovery, and what is more, competition with authoritarianism, the G7 members will work as one to take the lead in creating an international order in the post-COVID-19 era.
Japan is determined to continue to further strengthen collaboration with the G7 members and aim for building the world’s economy and society back better and establishing a free, open, and rule-based international order.
With regard to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, I explained that we will thoroughly implement preventive measures against infection and bring about the Games that are safe and secure, and received strong support for holding the Games from the leaders of all the G7 members. This is also clearly stated in the Summit Communiqué, and I renewed my determination that we will hold safe and secure Games.
The declaration of a state of emergency for ten prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka will be effective until the 20th. Although the number of new infections nationwide has been on the decline, it remains at a high level in some regions. Hence, we intend to maintain a high level of vigilance and thoroughly carry out countermeasures, thereby further containing infections. With this in mind, we will analyze the situation regarding infections, hospital bed occupancy, among others, listen to the opinions of the experts, and make decisions on the declaration within this week.
Thanks to the cooperation from various parties concerned, we have made progress in vaccinations faster than initially expected. The inoculation of the elderly will be completed in almost all municipalities by the end of July. In addition, vaccinations will start at a number of workplaces and universities on the 21st next week. We will make government-wide efforts to contain infections at the earliest possible time and restore daily lives in which people can feel safe.
We are adding the final touches to the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform. Nevertheless, containing spread of COVID-19 through the dual approach of preventing infections and administering vaccines is the most effective economic policy, and we will make all-out efforts in this regard. On top of that, we will build a strong economy, with four areas of digital and green fields, raising the revenues of people living in rural areas, and children as the driving force for growth. I would like to seek continued cooperation of the members of the ruling parties.”