The Amendment to Vaccination Act of Japan was voted through in a senate meeting on December 2. The revised law includes the provision of free COVID-19 vaccines for Japanese citizens. Although the vaccine has not yet been put into use, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is aiming to start vaccination within 2020. The Government plans to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are available to the entire population by the first half of 2021. Under the Amendment to Vaccination Act, it is positioned as an urgent and necessary “temporary vaccination" in preventing the spread of the novel Coronavirus. The vaccination will be carried out in all Japanese cities and villages, with the Japanese Government bearing all the costs. Relief measures will be arranged in the event of a health hazard. An agreement will also be signed on the Japanese government to pay damages incurred by pharmaceutical companies. Japan plans to buy a combined 145 million doses from Pfizer, Astrazeneca and Moderna. All of these vaccines are expected to be licensed first in Europe and the United States. To be practical in Japan, clinical trials in the country are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in Japanese. Clinical trials are not yet complete. Pfizer's products are said to be stored at around minus 70 degrees Celsius. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will make preparations by ensuring 3,000 cold storage facilities, among other measures. Mass vaccinations are also expected in places such as stadiums.