• 
• 
• 

On August 18, 2021, the Prime Minister held a meeting with Mr. TOKURA Masakazu, Chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
 “Thank you very much for your attendance. I also would like to express my appreciation to Chairman Tokura and members of Keidanren for your various cooperation on a daily basis amid the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
 
We have seen a large number of new patients almost every day due to the extremely infectious Delta strain. The Government decided yesterday to extend the declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo and the Greater Tokyo area as well as to newly add multiple prefectures across the country to the areas subject to the declaration of the state of emergency. Although this decision would put further burden on members of the business community, we sincerely would like to seek your cooperation under these circumstances.
 
The role of the Government is to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people. We will first expand medical systems and at the same time, prevent infections and conduct vaccinations. With these three pillars, we intend to contain infections caused by the Delta strain.
 
I came here today to make requests in particular because we need to reduce the flow of people in the end and implement all possible means to contain clusters, which have been occurring at workplaces these days, in order to overcome this situation. At the same time, what is effective among countermeasures is teleworking after all. The business community adopted teleworking in spring last year, which aimed for an approximately 70 percent reduction in the number of commuters. Although you may face difficulties because of the diversity of industries, we sincerely request your cooperation in teleworking from the end of this Obon period.
 
The Government, on its part, will offer robust support, including rendering payments to business operators that cooperate with our requests and securing employment. In addition, we will also proceed with vaccinations and firmly pave the way for the recovery of our economy and society.
 
Today, I would like to exchange candid views with members of Keidanren and hear your opinions. Thank you.”