Local residents register to receive the booster shot of the Moderna coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a mass vaccination center operated by Japanese Self-Defense Force, in Tokyo, Japan, January 31, 2022. Eugene Hoshiko\/Pool via REUTERS<\/p>\n
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TOKYO, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Most Japanese think the rollout of booster shots against COVID-19 is too slow and many give mixed reviews to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's handling of the pandemic, including last week's decision to ease border rules, a poll showed.<\/p>\n
Anger over the Japanese government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic helped sink the administration of Kishida's predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, and Kishida faces a crucial election for the upper house of parliament in July.<\/p>\n
About 73% of respondents to a Kyodo news agency opinion poll over the weekend felt Japan's rollout of booster shots has been far too slow, though 54.1% approved of how the government had tackled the coronavirus overall.<\/p>\n
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Only 14.4% of the population has received booster shots even though nearly 30% of the country is 65 or older and at greater risk without the protection of the booster. read more <\/p>\n
Kishida, who has repeatedly promised to accelerate the booster programme, told a news conference last week he has yet to receive his booster, but should get one early in March.<\/p>\n
The booster programme has picked up steam in recent days, with more than 700,000 shots a day - nearing Kishida's goal of 1 million by the end of February. Still, February became the deadliest month of the pandemic for Japan on Saturday, with 3,033 deaths so far this month.<\/p>\n
Nearly half of respondents to the two-day telephone survey said it was \"too early\" to loosen border controls, which have among been the strictest among wealthy nations but were slammed by businesses and educators, a move set to take place in stages from March 1. <\/p>\n
About 45.7% said the decision, which will open borders to foreigners except for tourists, came too early, Kyodo said, while 34.9% said it was \"appropriate\" and 16.3% saw it as too late.<\/p>\n
Overall, Kishida's support rose slightly to 56.6% although disapproval of his government edged up 2.2 points to 27.4%.<\/p>\n
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Reporting by Elaine Lies, additional reporting by Rocky Swift, Editing by Gerry Doyle and Lincoln Feast.<\/p>\n
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.<\/p>\n
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Majority of Japanese unhappy with progress of booster shots - survey - Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Local residents register to receive the booster shot of the Moderna coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a mass vaccination center operated by Japanese Self-Defense Force, in Tokyo, Japan, January 31, 2022. Eugene Hoshiko\/Pool via REUTERS Register TOKYO, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Most Japanese think the rollout of booster shots against COVID-19 is too slow and many give mixed reviews to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's handling of the pandemic, including last week's decision to ease border rules, a poll showed. Anger over the Japanese government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic helped sink the administration of Kishida's predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, and Kishida faces a crucial election for the upper house of parliament in July Continue reading