Tokyo VACCINE

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is pinning his hopes on vaccinations

which started slow because of logistical bungling, inefficiency and shortages

but now are making good progress.

But with only about 36 per cent of the population fully vaccinated,

experts say the virus's highly infectious delta variant is pulling ahead.

On Friday (Today) Tokyo reported 5,773 new cases of COVID-19

surpassing the previous record of 5,042 set last week.

Urging the government to put more teeth in its weak state of emergency.

Japan has managed the COVID-19 pandemic better than many countries

without the kind of restrictive lockdown used in other nations

but some believe that may now be needed.

More than 80 per cent of Japan's elderly population of 36 million

have completed their vaccinations since they started getting shots in mid-April.

High inoculation rates for seniors have contributed to a significant decline

in the number of elderly patients, serious cases and deaths,

relieving strain on the medical system.

"This clearly shows the vaccine efficacy,"

Pledge to accelerate vaccinations among younger people.

"The most effective way to slow the infections and minimize serious symptoms

would be to give everyone two shots as soon as possible."