Broadcasters led with reports on the first teleconference held between President Biden and Prime Minister Suga since President Biden took office (NHK), the number of people who died of COVID-19 in Tokyo reaching a record high of 18 yesterday (NTV), challenges faced by local municipalities in securing venues for COVID-19 vaccination (TBS), a traffic accident in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, yesterday (Fuji TV), and remarks by Minister Kono that vaccinations for elderly people will not begin until April 1 or later (TV Asahi).

Main front-page items in national papers included the Biden-Suga teleconference, AstraZeneca’s plan to produce its COVID-19 vaccine in Japan, ongoing consultations between the ruling and opposition blocs aimed at amending GOJ legislation governing public authorities’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the U.S.-Russian agreement to extend the New START Treaty.