Japan PM Suga: 'Leave no one behind' in pandemic response

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday called for a multifaceted approach to tackling the global pandemic.

In a pre-recorded speech to the UN General Assembly, Suga said "the guiding principle for us to overome this crisis must be 'leave no one behind.'"

Suga plegded his country's support for vaccine develoment and urged "fair and equitable access for all, including those in developing countries."

Japan has more than 80,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,500 deaths.

On North Korea, the Japanese prime minister said he was committed to normalizing relations.