Infected With COVID-19 With Mild Symptoms, Japanese PM Kishida Is Working Online

JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida started working remotely (online) on Monday, a day after testing positive for the coronavirus, at the end of his summer vacation.

Experiencing mild symptoms, PM Kishida attended a meeting remotely from his official residence in the morning, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

A government spokesman said virtual participation in the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), to be held in Tunisia on August 27 and 28, was being considered, given PM Kishida had to stay in isolation until August 30.

"We made arrangements, so that the prime minister can join as many events as possible online and through other means," Matsuno said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, PM Kishida's planned visit to the Middle East after TICAD will most likely be cancelled.

Earlier, after receiving his fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on August 12, PM Kishida began his summer vacation on August 15, after attending a ceremony to mark the 77th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

His wife Yuko and eldest son Shotaro, who serves as his secretary, have been identified as close contacts, Matsuno said.

PM Kishida plays golf in Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo with his family on Tuesday. On Wednesdays, he stayed with them at a hot springs inn in Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefecture, before visiting Mishima Taisha Shrine and other places the next day.

He returned to his official residence in Tokyo on Friday afternoon and began showing symptoms, including a low-grade fever and cough on Saturday evening, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Japan is currently experiencing its seventh wave of coronavirus infections, with record daily cases reported last Friday.