Japan has so far not reported any human cases of swine flu, which is believed to have killed up to 84 people in Mexico - eight of them confirmed - and has spread to the United States, Europe, Israel and New Zealand.
Aso, in Beijing on his first state visit to China, told reporters he had asked his chief cabinet secretary to 'take all possible measures based on our (contingency) plan.'
He took the decision after the World Health Organisation raised its flu alert to phase five, which is described as a 'strong signal that a pandemic is imminent.'
In Tokyo, health minister Yoichi Masuzoe said Japan would set up 'fever clinics' at selected medical institutions across the nation where people with suspicious symptoms could be treated, Japanese media reported.
'We will work to protect the lives and health of the people without fail by strengthening the current state of preparedness as we find it necessary,' Japanese media quoted Mr Masuzoe as saying, urging the public not to panic.
Mr Aso was due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao later on Thursday. The Japanese premier on Wednesday discussed cooperation in tackling swine flu with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. -- AFP
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