Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima explains the spread of novel coronavirus infections in his city at a news conference on Jan. 26. (Hayato Jinno)
The central government calls its vaccination campaign “the trump card” against the novel coronavirus, but its reshuffled plans and changing schedules have frustrated local officials struggling to prepare for the inoculation process.
The campaign will be one of the greatest vaccination programs in the country’s history. Local governments are already trying to overcome a number of stumbling blocks, including securing large sites and medical personnel for mass vaccinations while dealing with the constant threat of the contagion spreading in their areas.