Japan's Suga: "Resuming International Travel Necessary for Economic Recovery"

Message at the APEC CEO Summit Event

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan, expressed on the 20th that the resumption of international travel is inevitable for economic recovery amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to Jiji Press and others, Prime Minister Suga said this in a video message sent to the CEOs meeting of various countries' companies held as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit-related events, stating that regulations such as entry and quarantine for infection control will be gradually eased. He emphasized, "Japan will properly implement infection control measures while resuming international economic activities."

Prime Minister Suga mentioned, "The goal is to realize a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific," and said that the expansion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be one of the means to achieve this. Jiji Press added that he showed hope that the United States would rejoin the TPP with the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration. Sankei Shimbun also reported that Suga said, "The foundation of regional prosperity is a free and open Indo-Pacific, and I want to demonstrate leadership to realize this."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Suga stated, "The administration's priority tasks are promoting digitalization and realizing a green society," expressing his intention to reform regulations that hinder digitalization and to strive to make Japan's greenhouse gas emissions virtually zero by 2050.

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