Pfizer wanted to negotiate with Suga, not vaccine czar Kono

Drugmaker's CEO insisted on dealing directly with Japanese leader

20210419N Suga Kono

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, right, and vaccine czar Taro Kono address reporters after touring a vaccination site in Tokyo on April 12. © Kyodo

HIROSHI ASAHINA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- On Saturday morning, as he was about to wrap up his short trip to Washington, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga spoke with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla by phone to request additional coronavirus vaccine.

The call was not universally welcomed in the government, where many were leery of the country's leader stepping in to negotiate directly.

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