TOKYO -- Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso vowed Monday to revive the country's economy badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and boost structural reforms for the future.

The remarks were made in his speech on the first day of this year's ordinary parliamentary session. Aso said the government will prevent the number of COVID-19 infections from increasing further "while supporting employment and business." (Japan-Economy)

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TOKYO -- The Japanese Diet opened Monday with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowing to go ahead with preparations to hold the Tokyo Olympics this summer, in the face of growing public opposition amid a surge in COVID-19 infections across the country.

In his first policy speech at the Diet's regular session since taking office last September, Suga outlined his policy agenda and stressed his determination to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.(Japan-PM-Speech)

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MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on Monday reported 2,163 new daily confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the highest in more than two months in this Southeast Asian country.

The last time the daily new cases in the Philippines exceeded Monday's number was on Nov. 8, 2020, which stood at 2,442. (Philippines-COVID-19)

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SEOUL -- South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Monday that the country will be able to achieve faster herd immunity against COVID-19 than other countries under the planned vaccination program.

Moon told a New Year's press conference that the preliminary vaccinations, scheduled to begin in February, are planned to be completed by September and expected to generally form a herd immunity. (South Korea-President-Vaccination)