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Globally, Japan’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic is passable. Even without a total blockade, the country has avoided an explosion of cases and has a relatively low death rate. As of April 26, the number of deaths per million people in Japan was 2.85 compared to 164.5 in the US. USA And 490 in Spain.
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The reasons for Japan’s less virulent brush with the new coronavirus are still debated. Explanatory contenders include a culture of wearing face masks, high standards of hygiene, relatively warm weather, and even the propitiation of Shinto deities fighting plague. But one factor missing from this list is political leadership.
The Japanese authorities’ response to COVID-19 has ranged from arrogance to confusion, highlighting a leadership that appears to be concerned about the consequences of the policies they are in charge of formulating. An example of this is Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. For weeks, Mr. Abe played down the seriousness of the unfolding pandemic, limiting the evidence, avoiding declaring a state of emergency and ruining the handling of the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship docked in the port of Yokohama where eventually more than 700 passengers and crew tested positive for COVID-19.
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For much of March, Mr. Abe insisted that the Tokyo Summer Olympics were scheduled, leaving many optimists about the spread of the disease in Japan. When the cherry blossoms blossomed in late March, large flower appreciation meetings were held despite some weak pleas for the public to avoid them. Even Akie Abe, the first lady, was photographed attending a flower party in contravention of the government’s own council for social distancing.
The consequence was a foreseeable increase in infections, prompting authorities to struggle to respond, as hospitals began to warn that they were in danger of being overwhelmed. Mr. Abe finally declared an emergency on April 7. When companies were asked to close, schools and kindergartens were closed, and people isolated themselves, an anxious citizenry awaited concrete details of the government’s plan to deal with the crisis.
“Abenomascos” for each house
His encouragement was rewarded with the announcement that two cloth masks would be placed in every home in the country. The “Abenomask,” a pun on Prime Minister’s distinctive economic policy called Abenomics, was widely derided as an ineffective waste of taxpayer money. Once the masks began to be delivered, there were more complaints that the products were stained, damaged, or contaminated with human hair and dust. A large number had to be withdrawn. Mr. Abe then addressed the nation through a video intended to persuade the nation of the small pleasures of staying home. It featured the Prime Minister snuggling his dog into his spacious apartment, relaxing with a large, presumably warm drink, and watching television.
Most Japanese live in tight quarters and are struggling to balance childcare with earning a living in an uncertain economic environment. At a time when the Governor of Osaka was asking for donations of raincoats because doctors had resorted to using garbage bags as protective equipment, Mr. Abe’s video seemed a bit dull. “You look so stylish at a time when many people feel like they’re slowly being strangled (with the virus). Why don’t you go see hospitals that have been the battlefield? “asked a tweet.
But in a nation largely ruled by a clique of older men in dark suits, Abe has company to act without thinking. Last week, Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui came under fire after suggesting that women stay home and send men out to shop, as men were more targeted and less likely to waste time on the stores. Speaking to reporters, he said that women “take a long time while browsing and doubt this and that,” adding: “Men can pick up the things they are told (buy) and leave, so I think it is good that go shopping … “
Social media was again less than grateful. “When I hear comments like this … I feel the need for people with diverse backgrounds to participate in politics,” read one tweet.
Despite the fact that COVID-19 was affected for an extended period of time for relatively early preparation, Japan is in an inadequate position to face a possible escalation of infections. It has only half the ICU beds for 1,00,000 people than Spain. Germany has six times more. It takes more leadership than mask or video sops to feel good about hugging pets.
(Pallavi Aiyar is a journalist based in Tokyo)
