TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, tasked with leading the government’s pandemic response, defended his role on Wednesday after criticism over his handling of lockdown measures on bars and restaurants.
Nishimura, asked whether he intends to resign, said his “responsibility was in preventing infections and ensuring an economic recovery”.
Nishimura had caused an uproar last week after suggesting that banks put pressure on restaurants and bars which defy the government’s lockdown measures, and that beverage makers stop doing trade with them. He has since taken back the suggestions.
(Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
