FOCUS: Suga's coronavirus response slowed by his status in ruling party

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's declaration of another state of emergency to bring a recent surge of coronavirus infections under control appears to have come too late, with the government's decision-making process slowed by his prioritization of economic recovery and the manner in which he took office four months ago.The monthlong state of emergency through Feb. 7, covering Tokyo and three adjacent prefectures, is less comprehensive than the previous one in April last year. The declaration was widely viewed as insufficient to suppress infections, leaving room for a potential extension and …READ FULL ARTICLE