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The global race for a coronavirus vaccine is on, but efforts in Asian countries are largely trailing those in the U.S. and Europe. © Nikkei montage

Japan's COVID vaccine sprint becomes marathon ahead of Olympics

From India to Thailand, nations seek homegrown shots as global death toll mounts

OSAKA -- Japan's first clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine is underway inside Osaka University Hospital. Some of the small-scale results, along with those from another university, are expected within the next month or so and will determine whether a larger trial can be held in November involving 500 people.

The project has attracted huge public attention and received financial support from the Japanese government. But whether the vaccine will receive approval and be manufactured on a significant enough scale in time for the Tokyo Olympic Games in July next year, remains a big question mark.

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