More than 50% of Japan's population has received two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the vaccination rate on course to soon draw level with countries such as Britain and France, the minister in charge of the country's coronavirus response said Sunday.

"If vaccinations move ahead at the current pace, it will surpass 60% by the end of this month," Yasutoshi Nishimura said on a TV program, drawing a comparison with current rates in the two major European countries.

Japan initially lagged behind other major economies with its vaccine rollout but has made relatively fast progress since.