Japan’s vaccination progress will be slow

Significance

He outlined five ‘pillars’ of the strategy which will replace those measures and, it is hoped, prevent a fourth wave. The most important is the vaccination programme.

Impacts

• Criticism of the vaccination rollout will reduce the chances of Taro Kono, minister in charge of vaccinations, becoming prime minister.
• Meagre funding has undermined efforts to develop Japan’s own vaccines.
• Japan’s lack of its own vaccines relegates it to a lower-profile subordinate role in ‘vaccine diplomacy’, supplying equipment and funds.
• The slow roll-out of vaccination compared to some other advanced countries will make Japan slower to reopen to international travel.