Tokyo, Jan 17 (TIWN) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday reiterated his commitment to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic amid the rampant spread of the Omicron variant.

In his first policy speech at the start of a 150-day regular Diet session, Kishida, describing the virus as "more formidable" than first thought, called on the public's cooperation in containing the spread of the virus, reports Xinhua news agency.  He also vowed to do more to combat the virus by expediting the rollout of booster shots and vaccinating children.