Abe: "If I Contract COVID-19 and Find It Difficult to Perform Duties, Deputy Prime Minister Aso Will Act on My Behalf"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that if he contracts the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and finds it difficult to perform his duties, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso will act as his proxy.

According to Mainichi Shimbun and others, during a press conference held on the 7th after declaring a COVID-19 state of emergency, Prime Minister Abe said, "If I lose consciousness, Deputy Prime Minister Aso will become the temporary acting prime minister and respond without any delay." He added that even if he becomes infected, "As long as I am fully conscious, I will self-isolate at my private residence and basically carry out my duties as prime minister."

When asked about the current situation where British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is receiving treatment in an intensive care unit after contracting COVID-19, Abe said he is making efforts to secure sufficient sleep and maintain his daily rhythm to preserve his immunity.

As a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Abe changed the venue of the press conference to a spacious room on the second floor of the Prime Minister's Official Residence, different from usual. The seating for attendees was arranged to be spaced apart, and the number of reporters was limited.

Additionally, Shigeru Omi, chairman of the Japanese government's COVID-19 advisory committee and director of the Regional Medical Function Promotion Organization, was present at the press conference to provide additional answers to questions if necessary. Asahi Shimbun interpreted Abe's appearance with an external expert at the press conference as highly unusual and an effort to help the public understand the state of emergency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.