Japan’s Prime minister has pledged to beat Covid-19 and host the Tokyo Olympic Games this year.
In a speech to open the new Parliament session, Yoshihide Suga said the government will take more drastic action to contain the virus and will enforce stronger penalties for violations.
"In order to restore a sense of safety, I will get the coronavirus pandemic, which has raged worldwide and is now severely affecting Japan, under control as soon as possible," Suga said.
"I will stand at the frontline of the battle while I get the people’s cooperation."
Hosting the Games will be ‘proof of human victory against the coronavirus’ Suga said.
"We will have full anti-infection measures in place and proceed with preparation with a determination to achieve the Games that can deliver hope and courage."
However public sentiment is against holding the event.
Based on several polls, about 80% think the Olympics won’t or should not be held this year.
Suga said the vaccine will be a ‘clincher’ to start the recovery.
There is currently a state of emergency in multiple prefectures which covers more than half of the population.
The government plans to revise laws to allow it to penalise people with fines or jail time who either refuse to be hospitalised or do not cooperate with health officials’ directives.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
