Japan Regrets Taiwan's Exclusion from World Health Assembly

Tokyo, May 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed regret on Tuesday over the World Health Organization's decision to deny Taiwan observer status at the two-day annual World Health Assembly session through the day. At a press conference, the top government spokesman said: "It was regrettable. Japan believes that a geographical void should not be created when addressing global health issues." Japan will continue to advocate its stance, he added. Suga stopped short of commenting on the United States' criticism of China at the meeting of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO. The assembly's annual meetings "should be an opportunity to issue messages seeking international cooperation," Suga said, adding that the WHO's functions need to be thoroughly examined after the spread of the novel coronavirus that is raging in the world is brought under control. END