Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > June 2021 > Ministerial Meeting on the Progress in Countermeasures against the Novel Coronavirus Diseas
The Prime Minister in Action
Ministerial Meeting on the Progress in Countermeasures against the Novel Coronavirus Diseas
June 30, 2021
[Provisional Translation]
On June 30, 2021, the Prime Minister held the second ministerial meeting on the progress in countermeasures against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on the progress in countermeasures against COVID-19.
Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today we discussed the effects of vaccinations and other matters.
Experts pointed out that vaccinations will not only prevent patients from developing severe symptoms, but also significantly reduce the number of infections itself and that accelerating inoculations will lead to a considerably faster resumption of economic activities.
According to the estimates presented today, making vaccines available to the public is the most effective economic policy, and speeding up inoculations will create 600,000 new jobs and push up the GDP by two percent, thereby bringing about economic impact worth 12 trillion yen.
With regard to Japan’s economy, the tax revenue for the last fiscal year is expected to exceed the current record high, and we will fully prepare ourselves for the future economic management in the future.
The number of new infections remains at a low level in many parts of the country, while that in Tokyo is on an increasing trend. While maintaining a high level of vigilance and thoroughly carrying out countermeasures, we will closely monitor the situation and flexibly implement necessary steps.
Vaccine doses administered substantially exceeded the target of 1 million per day, and we administered 1.67 million doses in one day yesterday. Approximately 60 percent of the elderly have already received at least their first dose, which accounts for over 20 percent of the total population.
We have received more-than-expected requests for vaccinations in companies and universities as well as large-scale inoculations by local governments. We will continue the suspension of receiving new applications but with regard to those received thus far, we will examine them and take measures, while swiftly informing local governments of prospects of vaccine distribution in the time to come, so as to ensure they can continue smooth vaccinations.
I ask the relevant ministers to closely collaborate in taking thorough preventive measures against infection and accelerating inoculations.”