TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe worked for the 140th straight day on Saturday as he has been busy spearheading the country's fight against the new coronavirus outbreak.

Even on weekends and public holidays, Abe has been commuting to the prime minister's office in the Nagatacho political district in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward to perform his official duties and attend meetings with ministers of his cabinet and senior government officials.

He has been refraining from holding dinner meetings at night for nearly three months, but is expected to resume such sessions shortly, sources familiar with the situation said.

The last day Abe had no official duties was Jan. 25. Later, however, Abe has been preoccupied with work related to the epidemic, such as helping the return home of Japanese nationals from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the suspected epicenter of the virus, declaring a state of emergency and compiling economic measures.

"I want the prime minister to take a little break as he looks very tired," a source close to him said.

Before the virus crisis, Abe had frequently held dinner meetings. But he has recently been holding back from such gatherings, in light of his position to call on the public to avoid the three Cs of closed, crowded and close-contact settings so as not to get infected with the coronavirus.

The last confirmed dinner meeting Abe had was one that was held on March 18 with Fumio Kishida, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

But Abe's pattern of behavior is expected to return to normal soon.

The government plans to further ease its request for refraining from activities as early as Friday. On the day, the prime minister is slated to meet over dinner with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, people close to him said.

JIJI Press