TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been infected with Covid-19 and is recuperating at his official residence, his office said.

Kishida, just returned from a week-long vacation, was due to return to work today with an overseas trip scheduled for later in the week.

He developed a cough and fever on Saturday and took a PCR test yesterday morning, which confirmed the positive result in the afternoon, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said.

Japan has endured a record resurgence in coronavirus infections through July and August, hitting businesses in the world’s third-biggest economy, although deaths remain relatively low and the disruptions have been milder than in some other advanced economies.

The authorities have eschewed lockdowns throughout the pandemic, relying on broad usage of mask wearing and social distancing to curb infections.

Kishida will have to take part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development online on Friday.

 - Reuters