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On August 4, 2021, the Prime Minister held the fifth 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,
 
"Thanks to the tremendous cooperation from local governments and medical professionals across the country, vaccinations are now in progress. Today, we received an update on the situation.
 
The vaccine supply issues have caused inconvenience to many people, but as far as July is concerned, vaccinations progressed at a pace faster than expected, with a daily average of 1.3 million doses administered at local governments and medical institutions and 200,000 doses at workplaces and universities.
 
As a result, by the end of July, a total of 94.55 million doses were administered at local governments, medical institutions, workplaces and universities from the time when the vaccination started. Of this total, 58 million doses were administered to elderly aged 65 or older. This means by the end of July, 87 percent of the elderly nationwide received their first dose of vaccination and 77 percent received their second dose. Considering the delay in reporting the results, it is estimated that around 80 percent of the elderly have been vaccinated twice so far. We believe that we have largely achieved our goal of providing two doses to the elderly who wish to be vaccinated. As the vaccination program progresses, its effectiveness is becoming evident. At one time, the elderly aged 65 or older accounted for more than 20 percent of new cases, but now they account for only 2 to 3 percent.
 
Meanwhile, 7.72 million doses have been administered so far in workplaces and universities. Having examined the details of the applications that have been made in larger numbers than expected, we have decided to start vaccinations at new sites next week. At the national level, 44 percent of the population have been vaccinated once, while 31 percent have had their second dose. From now on, we will seek to complete the second dose of vaccination for more than 40 percent of the entire population by the end of this month by accelerating the vaccination of people in their 40s and 50s, who have the second highest risk of severe symptoms after the elderly, as well as younger generations, among whom the number of infected cases is significantly increasing.
 
Summer vacation is in full swing, and the Obon holidays are just around the corner. Many people have been infected at home, outdoors, at meetings involving eating and drinking, on group trips with friends and even at work. Most of such cases are among people in their 40s and 50s and younger generations. We request that you refrain from engaging in high-risk activities more than ever until the time when the vaccination proves effective in containing the spread of infection. Even now, eating and drinking without a mask is a triggering factor for infections. We ask you to eat in small groups with people close to you and for a short time. We would like to ask you to refrain from returning to your hometowns or taking trips this summer as much as possible. Those who have no choice but to return home are requested to be careful, including by having a test and spending time in small groups with people close to you. You are also requested to refrain from non-essential, non-urgent outings, and even if you have to go out, please do so in small groups with your family or regular friends as much as possible.
 
Our immediate goal is to contain the spread of the infection while making utmost efforts to provide vaccinations. We sincerely ask for the cooperation of the people."