Japanese PM says coronavirus vaccine is a priority for safe Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday called for swift development of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 as a priority towards holding the Olympics in Tokyo next year.

Abe spoke as the Japanese government unveiled a fresh stimulus package worth about 100 trillion yen ($930 billion) to provide financial support for companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe also declared an end to a coronavirus state of emergency across the nation, removing the measure in five remaining prefectures including Tokyo and paving the way for sport to resume in Japan.

Japanese professional baseball announced Monday that it will begin play on June 19th without fans while football's J.League is expected to confirm its restart plans later this week.

Japan, with about 16,600 confirmed cases and about 850 deaths, has so far avoided a large outbreak like those experienced in the U.S. and the Europe despite its softer restrictions.