Japan's Kishida says virus measures, defense top priorities

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said fighting the pandemic was a “top priority” for his government in his speech opening this year’s parliamentary session

TOKYO -- Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday said fighting the pandemic was a “top priority” in his speech opening this year's parliamentary session, as the Tokyo region was hit by surging infections.

Kishida also named stepping up defense measures against rising regional threats as a priority, hours after North Korea test-fired two possible ballistic missiles — its fourth this year.

“I will devote my body and soul to win this fight against the coronavirus,” Kishida said in his speech before the lower house, which marked the start of its new 150-day session. He called on people to help each other to overcome “the national crisis" of the pandemic.

The Japanese capital reported 4,172 new cases on Sunday, raising the hospital bed occupancy rate to 19.3%. Tokyo authorities have said that when that rate breaches 20%, they will request the government place the area under pre-emergency status and move toward restrictions like working from home and shorter hours for eateries.