Japan to boost efforts to prevent entry of swine flu

The Japanese government decided on Monday to boost efforts to prevent the entry of swine flu into Japan by tightening quarantine and immigration checks while swiftly considering producing vaccines against it.

Prime Minister Taro Aso ordered his Cabinet ministers to ensure public safety. Telling them at a crisis meeting, "Each minister must unite to ensure the public's safety and reassure them," according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.      

Kawamura told a press conference the government has not received any reports of swine flu infections in Japan, adding that the government is strictly monitoring the entry of people from Mexico.      

Quarantine doctors will board airplanes arriving from Mexico at Narita international airport to enhance inspections, while Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe told reporters he will place priority on developing a vaccine to counter swine flue rather than producing vaccines against seasonal influenza.      

Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano suggested at a press conference, meanwhile, that he is ready to take budgetary steps, if necessary, to counter swine flu, saying, "It is important to freely use money and manpower in order to address an issue affecting public health."