World - Asia
Updated: August 21, 2022

Japan's PM Kishida Tests Positive For COVID-19

By Quadri Adejumo
August 21, 2022
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been infected with COVID-19 and is recuperating at his official residence, his office said on Sunday.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said Kishida just returned from a weeklong vacation, and 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 and took a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Sunday morning, which confirmed the positive result.

Kishida was also to take part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) starting on Friday in Tunisia, then continue with visits through the Middle East.

Japan has endured a record resurgence in coronavirus infections through July and August.

The country have imposed strict lockdowns, relying on broad usage of mask wearing and social distancing to curb infections.