As the vaccine rollout picks up speed, Japan turns to private sector for added boost
A slew of large companies in Japan have announced they will open COVID-19 vaccination sites on June 21 for their employees following a decree by the health ministry Wednesday.
Japan softens commitment to nuclear power in draft growth strategy
The government has dropped a key phrase that it "will continue to seek to make the most out of nuclear power" after protests from Cabinet ministers Shinjiro Koizumi and Taro Kono.
Flexible approach: Japan municipalities get OK to vaccinate more than just older people
Although older residents will still be prioritized for now, municipalities have the freedom to decide how to set aside shots for other demographics and professions.
Suga's top-down management style under scrutiny after series of rapid policy shifts
The prime minister's approach could backfire and is already undermining the government's traditional chain of command.
28 local Japanese governments considering mass vaccination sites
Most venues will administer the Moderna vaccine, which was formally approved for use by the health ministry on Friday.
Japan mulls letting pharmacists administer COVID-19 vaccines
The government will study the option after seeing whether the addition of dentists is enough to mitigate a dearth of doctors and nurses when it comes delivering the vaccines.
Vaccine chief blames Japan's slow inoculation drive on drug approval system
Japan's COVID-19 vaccine chief has blamed a rigid drug approval system for a slow inoculation campaign that is relying on only one approved shot, as a fourth wave of infections raises worries amid preparations for the Summer Olympics. Taro Kono, the minister in charge of ...
A total of about 390 municipalities will launch the vaccination program in a seven-day period starting Monday, the largest number per week, the health ministry said.
Unused COVID-19 shots piling up in Japan amid slow rollout
Japan imported 28 million doses of Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine through late April, but has so far used only 15% of the stockpile, with the remaining 24 million doses sitting in freezers.
Japanese frustrated over vaccine rollout after learning of EU exports
The EU has said that it had authorized some 52.3 million doses made in European factories for export to Japan, the highest volume among all 43 countries to which vaccines have been shipped.
Tokyo to get SDF-staffed, large-scale vaccination site amid slow rollout
Medically licensed SDF personnel are expected to administer Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines to about 900,000 people age 65 or older living in the capital and neighboring prefectures.
Japan's local governments get creative to incentivize vaccinations
From free bath salt giveaways to discounted taxi rides, municipalities are coming up with an array of programs, but the central government remains wary.
