TOKYO

Japan on Saturday criticized the head of the World Health Organization, accusing him of being incapable of managing the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking at the House of Representatives in the capital Tokyo, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Asos slammed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for his "inadequate evaluation to address the coronavirus outbreak.”

He also noted the petition on Change.org signed by 635,000 people so far, demanding the resignation of Tedros.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 177 countries and territories, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows over 618,000 cases have been reported worldwide since last December, with the death toll above 28,600 and over 135,700 recoveries.