Tuesday, April 28, 2009

JAPANESE

Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza

Photograph of the Prime Minister addressing the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza

Photograph of the Prime Minister addressing the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza

On April 27 (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO), in regard to the cases of swine influenza abroad, raised the level of influenza pandemic alert to phase 4. The Japanese government affirmed swine influenza as a pandemic influenza. In response to these developments, the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza was established on the morning of April 28, and Prime Minister Taro Aso held its first meeting at the Diet building in the afternoon.

At the meeting, the basic policy of the government's responses was decided upon. Accordingly, the government will further strengthen measures against swine influenza, which has occurred in Mexico and other countries, and mobilize all efforts in tackling the issue, with the understanding that the cases of swine influenza constitute an important issue for national crisis management. Specifically, the government is called upon to (i) make the utmost efforts to collect information on characteristics of pandemic influenza viruses, among other matters, in close collaboration with other countries, and provide the people with information in a swift and appropriate manner; (ii) provide assistance to Japanese nationals abroad, and implement frontline measures so as to prevent as much as possible the entry into Japan of swine influenza viruses; (iii) obtain the virus strain as soon as possible to develop a pandemic vaccine; and (iv) take measures to prepare for cases of pandemic influenza infection in Japan.

Prime Minister Aso gave an instruction to all the Cabinet members to take measures based on the basic policy of responses. He said, "The ministries and agencies must work as one in implementing frontline measures and other steps, so as to prevent by all means the entry into Japan of swine influenza viruses. I ask the ministers to take every possible countermeasure in order to ensure the people's peace of mind and safety in absolute terms."

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Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (1)

Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (1)

Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (2)

Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (2)

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  • Photograph of the Prime Minister addressing the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza
  • Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (1)
  • Photograph of the meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza (2)