The Japanese government, on Wednesday, passed a bill, under which all residents of Japan would get free COVID-19 vaccines. The bill, which stated that the government would cover all the vaccines cost for its 126 million residents, was passed by the upper house of parliament. Amidst the global pandemic, this move could prove helpful in saving lives.

Japan, known as the Land of Rising Sun, had been fighting the third wave of COVID-19; new cases were emerging daily. The situation was worsening minute by minute.
?Japan is on maximum alert; health care experts have warned us that the situation might get worse. Hospitals are flooded with COVID-19 patients and the spread of the virus just won’t stop; we must look out for each other and stay safe, said Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

He continued to say that his administration was doing everything they could to stop the spread of the virus and control the situation. We have secured 60 million vaccines from Pfizer and more 25 million from Moderna; will receive 120 million doses of Astrazenecas vaccine soon, he added.

I urge all the citizens to avoid going out; practice social distancing and follow all COVID-19 related guidelines, said Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo.

At 2,100 deaths and 1,50,000 cases, Japan wasn’t the most affected countries due to COVID-19. Compared to India, Italy, China and others, they did not impose strict lockdowns or curfews but the government had decided to ask liquor shops and other businesses from the hospitality industry to close early. In the wake of a global crisis, Japan had put a hold on its tourism activities too.