- Title: File footage of Japan's PM Kishida as he is tested COVID positive
- Date: 21st August 2022
- Summary: Fumio Kishida served as foreign minister under then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from 2012 to 2017, but diplomacy remained firmly in the prime minister's grip. TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - SEPTEMBER 3, 2014) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** THEN JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE STANDING ON THE STAIRS WITH NEW CABINET MINISTERS THEN FOREIGN MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA LOOKING ON AND BOWING In March 2017, Kishida held a bilateral meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Tokyo, where they spoke about regional affairs, including the perceived threats of North Korea. TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - MARCH 16, 2017) (REUTERS) KISHIDA AND THEN U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE REX TILLERSON WALKING IN AND SHAKING HANDS Days after North Korea's missile launch in May 2017, Kishida met the then-top U.S. commander in the Asia Pacific region, Admiral Harry Harris, which underlined the seriousness of the situation on the Korean peninsula and the importance of the continued cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - MAY 16, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KISHIDA SHAKING HANDS WITH THEN U.S. ASIA-PACIFIC COMMAND ADMIRAL HARRY HARRIS
- Embargoed: 4th September 2022 11:03
- Keywords: Fumio Kishida Japan Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe Yoshihide Suga election foreign minister politics prime minister victory
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001802801011970RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been infected with COVID-19 and is recuperating at his official residence, his office said on Sunday (August 21).
Kishida, who just returned from a week-long vacation, was due to return to work on Monday with an overseas trip scheduled for later in the week.
He developed a cough and fever on Saturday (August 20) and took a PCR test on Sunday morning, which confirmed the positive result in the afternoon, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said.
Japan has endured a record resurgence in coronavirus infections through July and August, hitting businesses in the world's third-biggest economy, although deaths remain relatively low and the disruptions have been milder than in some other advanced economies.
Japan's economy grew an annualized 2.2% in the second quarter, a slower-than-expected rebound from a COVID-induced slump as uncertainty remains over whether consumption can bolster a fragile recovery.
The authorities have eschewed strict lockdowns used in China and other nations throughout the pandemic, relying on broad usage of mask-wearing and social distancing to curb infections.
Kishida was to take part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) starting on Friday (August 26) in Tunisia, then continue with visits through the Middle East.
He may participate in TICAD online, public broadcaster NHK reported. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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