Suga Puts Kono in Charge of COVID-19 Vaccine Program

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:10 JST, January 19, 2021

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday tasked Taro Kono — minister in charge of administrative reform and minister of state for regulatory reform — with administering the nation’s novel coronavirus vaccination program.

Kono’s appointment covers facilitating the transport and storage of vaccines, and coordination among related ministries and agencies, including consultations with local governments, so that vaccinations can be carried out without confusion, starting in late February.

“I have instructed minister Kono to coordinate the entire process. We will do our utmost to ensure that safe and effective vaccines are delivered,” Suga told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office. “We have to make sure that as many people as possible can be vaccinated as soon as possible,” Kono said.