宣言解除へ「状況好転」　新政権、入閣要請あっても固辞―菅首相

　【ワシントン時事】菅義偉首相は２５日午前（日本時間同日夜）、新型コロナウイルス対策の緊急事態宣言の解除に関し、「状況は確実に好転している。週明けに改めて分析し、専門家の意見を聞いて判断したい」と述べた。訪問先の米ワシントンで同行記者団の質問に答えた。
　宣言は１９都道府県に発令中で、３０日に期限を迎える。政府は全面解除を視野に入れており、医療提供体制の逼迫（ひっぱく）状況などを踏まえ、２８日に決定する方向だ。
　自民党総裁選をめぐり、自身が支持する河野太郎規制改革担当相が全額税方式の最低保障年金創設を提唱したことについて「それぞれの候補者が政策を掲げて議論するのは望ましいことだ」と歓迎。新首相から入閣要請があった場合の対応に関しては「受ける気持ちは全くない」と明言した。
　一方、環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について、首相は「米国の復帰は重要だということは、日本の基本的な考えだ」との認識を示した。（2021/09/26-00:23）

The novel coronavirus situation in Japan is getting better, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Saturday before his government decides soon whether to lift the ongoing state of emergency.
   "The situation has certainly been turning for the better. We will carry out an analysis again early next week and make a judgment by listening to experts' opinions," Suga told reporters accompanying him on a visit to Washington.
   The state of emergency, in place in Tokyo and 18 prefectures, is scheduled to end at the end of the month. The government is discussing the advisability of fully removing the emergency and plans to draw a conclusion on Tuesday after examining the degree of strains on medical systems among other factors.
   On the leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to be held on Wednesday, Suga said it is desirable for candidates to put forward policies and engage in debates.
   He was responding to a question about a proposal by regulatory reform minister Taro Kono, one of the four contenders in the election, to create a minimum guaranteed pension financed entirely by tax revenue. Suga, who will step down without seeking re-election as LDP president, has clarified his support for Kono in the election.