NHK has learned that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will instruct relevant ministers to step up efforts to administer 1 million coronavirus vaccine booster shots per day at the earliest date possible this month.

Kishida will issue the directive on Monday amid the spread of the coronavirus across the country. He will also ask municipalities and businesses to help achieve the goal.

The prime minister confirmed his plan to expedite the rollout of third vaccine doses during talks with the relevant ministers on Sunday.

Kishida will seek active efforts to promote vaccinations for teachers and nursery staff as the virus has been spreading at schools and day-care facilities for children.

He will also encourage police and firefighters to be inoculated so they can maintain their social services.

Kishida plans to ask two state-run, large-scale vaccination sites to increase their daily inoculation capacity to last year's levels. The facilities in Tokyo and Osaka are operated by the Self-Defense Forces.