TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide pledged Wednesday that his government will make all-out efforts to support small businesses hit hard by the fallout from the new coronavirus epidemic, aiming to bring back a strong economy.

“We want to focus on reforms toward building a post-coronavirus society and make necessary investments in order to regain a strong economy,” Suga said at a ceremony in Tokyo to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the enforcement of the commerce and industry association act.

“We’ll take necessary steps without hesitation while closely watching economic developments at home and abroad,” he added.

Suga said the government aims to create a new society that offers new ways of working, such as teleworking, so that people can do the same jobs even if they move to rural areas from urban cities.

The prime minister also expressed his eagerness to support small businesses actively in order to encourage them to try new things, such as overseas expansion.

JIJI Press