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Amidst the seldom pace of vaccination for coronavirus to elderly people over 65 years of age in Japan, large-scale vaccination centers have opened in Tokyo and Osaka.
Tokyo correspondent Yoo Seong-jae reports.
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Today (24th) at 8 am, a large-scale vaccination center of the Self-Defense Forces began operation at the Tokyo Government Building.
Those over 65 years of age living in Tokyo who have made advance reservations online are eligible for the vaccination.
Self-Defense Forces medical personnel of 200 people were employed, and an emergency approved modder or vaccine was used last week.
Elderly people who have reserved vaccinations go inside the vaccination room after checking the reception desk.
There was no major confusion as we received reservations in different time zones.
[Tokyo residents: The overall movement was quite smooth. It felt like I was ready enough.]
Today, 5,000 people in Tokyo and 2,500 people in Osaka used a large-scale vaccination center.
Japan started vaccination for elderly people in the middle of last month, but the number of elderly people who received the vaccine is still only 6% of the total 36 million people, or about 2 million people.
As criticism that the speed was not enough due to insufficient vaccination sites, the government established a large-scale vaccination center in the city center and mobilized the Self-Defense Forces as well.
Aichi and Gifu prefectures have created their own inoculation centers and started operating them, and 12 other regional local governments are also preparing to open inoculation centers.
The Suga regime is planning to complete vaccinations for all elderly people by the end of July, but there is also opposition everywhere as the local governments are in a position to secure the medical staff necessary for vaccination on their own.
(Video coverage: Han Cheol-min, Video editing: Kim Jong-tae)