Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday he will strengthen the country's medical system amid the coronavirus pandemic by increasing the number of beds designated for COVID-19 patients at public hospitals.
Speaking to reporters after his first visit to a hospital that treats COVID-19 patients after taking office on Oct. 4, Kishida said the government must prepare for the "worst-case scenario" when it comes to ramping up the medical system.
Kishida is considering increasing financial support to public hospitals in return for the hospitals' cooperation with the government's request to take in COVID-19 patients during emergencies.