TOKYO: The Japanese government said Thursday it will hold a cabinet meeting via video conference for the first time ever on Friday to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will join the virtual session together from a room in the prime minister's office, while other cabinet ministers will participate from the buildings of their respective ministries and agencies.

The cabinet meeting was changed to a round-robin style on April 10, receiving approvals from ministers individually without having them gather in one room.

Suga told a press conference on Thursday that the video meeting will be held on a trial basis as the ministers have not seen each other in cabinet meetings for some time. He said a decision will be made on whether to continue the video conference after seeing how things go on Friday.

JIJI Press