Arab News Japan

TOKYO: With Japan being the slowest G7 nation to launch a vaccine program, the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) has stepped in to lend a hand. The military will offer vaccines to all Japanese and other local-hire employees who wish to be vaccinated. 

Those who want the vaccine will be offered either the Pfizer-Biontech or Moderna vaccines.

A press release issued jointly by USFJ and the government of Japan (GOJ) stated: “Vaccinating local employees will contribute to the prevention of further spread of COVID-19 in Japan and will protect the resilience of the Alliance. The vaccinations will also ensure steady operations of USFJ, further enabling the USG to meet its Treaty obligations to the security of Japan.”

This initiative is being implemented in close coordination with Japan’s ongoing efforts to vaccinate the Japanese population. The government of Japan and the US military said that local employees would not be treated adversely if they choose not to be vaccinated.

Japan has stepped up its vaccination program this month and has now delivered 20 million vaccinations. Eleven percent of the population has now been given at least one dose of the vaccine. This compares to 62 percent in Canada, and 52 percent in the United States.