Suga: Japan to begin vaccine rollout next week

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday he expects Japan's COVID-19 vaccination program to begin next week.

Suga said Japan will begin to utilise its doses of the Pzifer-BioNTech vaccine "after confirming its efficacy and safety".

Speaking during a government meeting, the prime minister said the cooperation of local governments and health workers was key to the success of the rollout.

Earlier this month, he announced an extension of a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and nine other areas through March 7.

Under the state of emergency, the government has issued non-binding requests for people to avoid crowds and dining out in groups, and for restaurants and bars to close by 8 p.m.