菅首相、事業者しっかり支援　五輪開催へ全力―緊急事態宣言

　菅義偉首相は２３日の参院本会議で、新型コロナウイルス対策での４都府県への緊急事態宣言発令に関し、「影響を受ける方々への支援策をしっかり講じ、感染拡大を食い止めるため対策を徹底する」と強調した。また、人出が増えると見込まれる来週からの大型連休に触れ、「強力な対策を短期集中的に実施し、ウイルスの勢いを抑え込む必要がある」と理解を求めた。国民民主党の川合孝典氏への答弁。
　立憲民主党の真山勇一氏は、宣言やまん延防止等重点措置の適用が続いている場合でも今夏の東京五輪・パラリンピックを開く考えかをただした。首相は「安全・安心な大会が実現できるよう全力を尽くす」と改めて表明。ワクチン接種が予定通り進まず失敗したときに内閣総辞職の覚悟があるか問われたのに対しては、「速やかに接種が進むよう先頭に立って全力を尽くすことが私の責任だ」と答えた。（2021/04/23-12:29）

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday promised to provide full support to businesses to be affected by a fresh coronavirus state of emergency.
   "We'll take thorough measures to stop the spread of novel coronavirus infections after securing assistance to those who will be affected," Suga told a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament.
   Japan's third state of emergency is expected to be introduced for Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto, running from Sunday to May 11.
   Suga also said there is a need to prevent the spread of infections by taking strong measures intensively in a short period, noting an expected increase in foot traffic during the Golden Week holiday period starting next week to early May.
   When an opposition lawmaker asked Suga if the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will go ahead under a state of emergency or pre-emergency, Suga answered he will do everything he can so the games are held in a safe and secure environment.