(On the handling of the declaration of a state of emergency)

I have held a meeting of relevant ministers to discuss the measures going forward. We have decided to consult with the experts committee tomorrow over the declaration of a state of emergency and priority measures to prevent the spread of disease in a series of areas. It is extremely important to take measures to protect the lives of the people, including the setting up of a system to ensure the capacity of hospital beds and facilities temporarily used for patients and putting patients recuperating at home in close contact with doctors, as well as expanding the use of neutralizing antibody drugs. We are committed to continuing to make utmost efforts to work on those measures. We would also like to ensure measures to contain the further spread of infections with the highly contagious Delta strain becoming prevalent.