Japan Provides 1.24 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses to Taiwan... Strengthening 'Vaccine Diplomacy'

Supply Promotion in Vietnam

Motegi Toshimitsu, Japan's Foreign Minister, announced on the 4th at a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Tokyo that Japan plans to provide 1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As Japan's supply of COVID-19 vaccines becomes more stable, the government is strengthening its diplomatic efforts based on surplus doses.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on the 5th, the Japanese government provided 1.24 million doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine free of charge to Taiwan the previous day and is considering supplying vaccines to Vietnam as well.

Japan secured additional Pfizer vaccines and officially approved the use of Moderna and AZ vaccines on the 21st of last month, easing vaccine supply concerns. Japan has secured 97 million doses of Pfizer vaccines and 25 million doses of Moderna vaccines, totaling 122 million doses, which exceeds the population aged 16 and over.

Accordingly, although Japan approved the use of the AZ vaccine, it decided to exclude it from official vaccinations for the time being. Japan contracted to import 120 million doses (60 million people) of the AZ vaccine, some of which have already been secured.

Among these, the Japanese government sent 1.24 million doses to Taiwan, which has been struggling with COVID-19 vaccine supply. Additionally, Japan is reportedly planning to provide vaccines to Vietnam. Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu clearly expressed at a press conference, "We want to firmly demonstrate Japan's leadership in the vaccine field," signaling an intention to strengthen vaccine diplomacy.