Japan aims to accelerate its vaccine research and development under a new government body after lagging behind other advanced countries in developing vaccines during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) was established in late March within the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development to promptly deliver safe and effective vaccines against infectious diseases on the government's priority list.

The government also aims to contribute to the international community by making the vaccines produced in Japan available abroad.