KATHMANDU: Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that the Japanese government has concluded contracts to receive a supply of a total of 314 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, which would be a decisive factor in Japan's disease control measures.

PM Suga further said that the national government would cover the expenses necessary to receive the vaccination.

"We will swiftly deliver safe and effective vaccines to the public, bring infections to an end at the earliest possible time, and restore daily lives in which we live with peace of mind," Suga said. "The entire government will work together to achieve this."

Around 5,000 Covid-19 related deaths have been reported in Japan, according to national broadcaster NHK.

An adviser to Japan's pandemic response said on Friday that the domestic tourism campaign promoted by Suga could be a reason behind the sharp increase in the country's coronavirus infection cases.