(On the request by Osaka Prefecture to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of disease)

Since infections have been spreading, centered on Osaka, the Government has been responding with heightened vigilance. It is in this context that this evening, Osaka Prefecture made a request and the five relevant ministers met, making the decision to convene a meeting tomorrow morning and have measures to prevent the spread of infection taken up there. That said, the geographical areas [to be subject to such measures] and time frame [for measures to be in effect] have not yet been formally decided. The Government will take these response measures in close cooperation with the local governments.

(On the time period for measures to be in effect)

As for what kind of direction will emerge in the discussions by the advisory committee, the request by Osaka was officially received today, and the Government will act in cooperation with Osaka in mounting a response.

(On the decision to lift the declaration of the state of emergency)

It is also a fact that there were emphatic requests in the local areas to have the declaration lifted. Against that background, the decision was taken after consulting the experts.

(On priority measures to prevent the spread of disease being applied to areas other than Osaka Prefecture)

That needs to be unified through collaboration, so we will respond by acting in close cooperation with the local governments.

(On priority measures to prevent the spread of disease being applied to areas other than Osaka Prefecture [follow-up question])

Regardless of where [the request] comes from, we have been discussing for several days what will be necessary to mutually prevent the spread of infection between areas, and we will decide our direction forward in light of that.

(On the measures to go into effect should priority measures to prevent the spread of disease be applied)

As for what kinds of things will be done, the measures to prevent the spread of disease are already decided. We will take actions based on them.

(On whether the measures will basically be a shortening of operating hours)

I expect that will be a significant part.

(On the submission by opposition parties of a no-confidence motion against Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications TAKEDA Ryota)

I find it highly regrettable that an incident casting a shadow over the expectations of the public occurred at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). I very much look forward to Minister Takeda conducting an exhaustive inquiry into the incident at the MIC and turning the situation around.

(On whether priority measures to prevent the spread of disease will be applied to Osaka)

That is something that needs to be taken up by the advisory committee.