Japan's COVID-19 Cumulative Infections Surpass 400,000... Vaccinations Begin from 17th

Japanese Government Plans Formal Approval of Pfizer Vaccine on the 15th

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] As Japan's cumulative number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 400,000, it is expected that vaccinations will begin as early as the 17th. To this end, the Japanese government is reportedly planning to officially approve the COVID-19 vaccine supplied by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer on the 15th.

According to the Asahi Shimbun's tally on the 5th, the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 infections across Japan the previous day was 2,578, including 734 cases in Tokyo.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases, including 712 passengers from the cruise ship "Diamond Princess," which experienced a cluster infection while docked at Yokohama Port in February last year, was counted at 400,166.

The death toll increased by 104 the previous day, reaching a total of 6,189.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government plans to start vaccinations as early as the 17th, beginning with healthcare workers who are the priority recipients.

According to NHK, the Japanese government is scheduled to officially approve the COVID-19 vaccine supplied by Pfizer on the 15th.

Last month, the Japanese government signed a formal contract to receive 72 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer within this year.

Additionally, plans are in place to receive 60 million doses from the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and 20 million doses from the U.S. company Moderna.

Meanwhile, due to concerns over potential terrorism, the Japanese government intends to limit the disclosure of information related to vaccine importation and transportation.

In this regard, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, the Japanese government spokesperson, requested at a press conference on the 3rd that media outlets refrain from reporting specific details such as the timing of vaccine imports from overseas and storage locations.