Fierce questioning about Japan's vaccine rollout by MP Yamanoi (CDP) to PM Suga, I've translated below (usual disclaimers apply!!).

Note: MP Yamanoi is a former Minister of Health & has a science background.

THREAD https://twitter.com/broomsticknpen/status/1385792763967332355?s=20

YAMANOI: Japan's vaccination rate of 1.1% is the lowest among the 37 industrially advanced nations in the OECD. Myanmar, which is ruled by a military junta, has a vaccination rate of 1.8%. But Japan's is 1.1%. Our total is lower than Myanmar, which had a coup d'etat.

YAMANOI: The People are wondering, isn't Japan an industrially advanced nation? It's said that Japan has lost the vaccination war. When do you aim to complete vaccinations for the elderly? What are the prospects to complete vaccinations for all residents of Japan?

YAMANOI: Set aside talking about supply. What the People want to know is when will we get vaccinated? Just a clear idea is fine. Tell us when will vaccinations be completed by.

SUGA: From next week until just before June, a sufficient amount of vaccines for the elderly can be delivered to local governments. And we will work as quickly as possible.

YAMANOI: I'm not asking about supply. I'm saying: Tell us a clear prospect about the vaccination [plans].

SUGA: From the perspective of trying to deliver vaccines to the People as soon as possible, as the government, we would like to take action.

YAMANOI: The People are anxious about WHEN they can get vaccinated! Why can't you answer the question? If you can't give us a clear prospect, then tell us the aim. As our Prime Minister, tell us your thoughts about when you'd like us to get vaccinated by.

YAMANOI: US President Biden has said that by July, he wants all Americans to be vaccinated, and that he wants them to have patience until then. This is what President Biden said. Prime Minister Suga, please tell us your goals.

SUGA: As we rollout the deliveries, of course vaccinations will begin. As the government, we will work hard at that because we want those who wish to get vaccinated to receive safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible.

YAMANOI: The Prime Minister can't tell us when we'll be vaccinated, whether it's for the elderly or for the whole country. You can't even tell us your goals. What is this?? You're going to announce a State of Emergency!

YAMANOI: You need to tell us how long we have to be patient for. You need to tell us you'll make it possible for us to get vaccinated by that time. If you don't tell us that, the People won't be able to bear it.

YAMANOI: Even for the elderly, you have no clear prospect/plan and no goal. In that case, more and more people will die.

Deep gratitude to @yamanoikazunori and @cdp_kokkai for continuing to keep up the pressure about the vaccinations rollout and to other members of the Diet who are making efforts on our behalf to protect public health and our health systems