QUESTION from COVID-19 Japan (A Facebook Community Page):
‘Honest question: What do you think can convince the government of Japan to take some serious measures to try to keep COVID-19 under control?:’
I have been wondering about this for a long time, myself. #Masks: I observe that most people seem to wear masks in Tokyo, but the growing sizable minority that does not has worried me.
1. SOCIAL DISTANCING
We all know that the decrease in social activity in response to the coronavirus in Japan has come in waves, but has never really come to a halt—as in other countries, and when it has slowed significantly, locals and foreigners alike, here, continue to seem to be fearless, standing & sitting close on transport—even near to people unprotected; going out in pairs or in groups where at least one person is unmasked and all remain close, and in not establishing a controlled timing for entrance into places of business, as is done in the US. I attribute this to several possible factors:
2. A LACK of DISCOURSE
Lack of engagement on issues: Generally I don’t think the Japanese talk to each other about controversial issues (this may also benefit their protection–as not talking to strangers during a pandemic has its advantages in slowing the spread of the virus), and they must read about it less, because I see a general ignorance among them in many situations that would appear to betray a lack of the latest information. When they are engaged (I do this with them—feeling a sense of necessity in manhood- and civic duty) they provide little to no resistance or opinion—unless it is easy to agree. So, in general, I don’t see thought or discussion being much of a part of the social fabric—though I would have to imagine it takes place to some degree among confidants. Japanese people tell me themselves–that they lack this or refrain from this activity. Though there are plastic sheets at registers in stores, and later cam plastic dividers between seating t tables in some types of fast-food restaurants–this change was extraordinarily slow to come, as was the donning of PPE by all staff (I’m speaking of activity I have witnessed in the grossly ubiquitous convenience stores; and still, unprotected customers are admitted—to breathe on and touch everything).
3. GOVERNMENT INACTION
The government is apparently not doing its part to inform the public, in a general way—for example in hosting plenaries or hanging signs, displaying posters or mailing flyers about how to take precautions. I confess I don’t watch TV here; are there public service announcements—as there are constantly broadcast in my home state of New York? Private businesses do this, however.
4. POOR ATTITUDE I suspect that due to points 1 and 2 above (and other social and/or historical factors in the national consciousness?) the Japanese people possess an undeserved confidence and even a sort of malaise due to the social challenges the country is famous for and lives with since the initial rise of their economy post-WWII.
I just went a local convenience store and saw multiple people—couples and lone shoppers—out for an early morning walk or to run errands and at least half of the dozen or so individuals I encountered were unmasked. In the store—which is always the case in these tiny and not-so-tiny shops, I encountered unmasked patrons as well. I cannot fathom what is going on in their heads.
5. CONCLUSIONS
I have to conclude that the Japanese–for the most part–are merely going through the motions in relation to COVID19 and are not thinking about this pandemic as seriously as one would expect, in part because:
A. They are in their usual mode of acceptance.
B. The government only stumps on the issue at worst and makes the minor necessary effort at best—because it knows there will be little backlash and as pronounced, it is more concerned about the economy and about being popular (on the part of individual politicians)—which is an easier stance to take given the lack of testing and suppressed case numbers in order to underwhelm hospitals—and it wants to project success–decreasing worry. Look at how they encourage holiday travel.
C. The people possess a mix of hopelessness and over-confidence—the latter possibly bolstered by actual government bragging that they can ‘live with the virus,’ and that their ‘superior culture’ has been a bulwark against it. Of course hither-to low case numbers (however arrived at—perhaps in part due to the Japanese tendency toward discretion and conservative-social-outing-hours—with people tending to head for home around the time the trains begin to stop service—and for the fact that this is not a hugging culture… and that Japan offers superior restroom facilities most everywhere [though the majority of men, at least until now, didn’t seem to wash their hands properly in my experience—after using public restrooms]) has led to a less than ideal public response.
Indeed, on a daily basis—without fail, I find myself very frustrated with the apparent unconscious behavior of an uncomfortably large minority of people I encounter—and this is increasing. People come too close, are often unmasked and exhibit no above-average concern for precautions; I have to initiate every time;
1. Cashiers attempt to touch my hands when they give me my change, touch items to an excess (unless I force them to scan the item’s bar code from a distance).
2. Store clerks and pedestrians are ubiquitously half-masked in many places.
3. Commuters touch every handle and railing when there are other options for one to steady oneself.
4. Commuters and passengers show no concern at unmasked travelers in the immediate vicinity.
5. Commuters stand and move too closely and go up and down stairs and escalators unmasked.
I feel that in general, Japan is not a safe place right now—being perhaps more dangerous than the US in some respects—certainly more so than Korea and less safe than, say, New York, even—because though there is resistance to common sense there (in the States), it is found in pockets of conservative or evangelical communities across the nation—but it’s not a general phenomenon; and the fighting against precautions is a result of thinking (even if wrong-headed)—and where there is thought, minds can be changed; here in Japan, a lack of thinking, communication, and an increase in hopelessness and overconfidence do not provide the kind of environment wherein change happens, in my opinion—especially given the country’s conformist- and shame-oriented culture—unless the government enforces that change, and with an acquiescent, obedient public and a cowardly government, I don’t see that happening.
FINALLY
Some people have suggested Japan is pursuing the herd mentality strategy and others have suggested the low testing rate and disinformation many accuse Japan of are a result of not only economic stability concerns but due to big pharma in Japan using a natural course method as medical research; one student I know of also thinks this has to do with the descendant leadership tied to the infamous World War II era military Unit 731 and their philosophy of dispassionate experimental view of human beings; I find that hard to believe and even harder to want to accept. Either way, the current policy is a nightmare in the making as COVID 19 cases mushroom in number and no leadership is in sight to stem their increase. With the Obon national holiday beginning next weekend, I expect things to get worse.
Carl Atteniese,
Tokyo
