Japanese government calls for further probe into Covid-19 origins

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk on a street in Tokyo (AP)

The Japanese government is calling for further investigation into the origins of Covid-19, claiming that the World Health Organisation (WHO) report released this week was based on work that faced delays and lacked access to essential virus samples.

Chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters: “In order to prevent future pandemics, it is indispensable to carry out prompt, independent and experts-led investigations that are free of surveillance.