Hi everyone! Instead of doing another Deskwarming Diaries, I wanted to take some time and talk about the current Covid-19 situation in Japan. I feel like a lot of people back home aren’t really aware of what’s going on here; this post is for you!
What’s the situation?
Well, while the rest of the world is testing, practicing social-distancing, and waking up to lockdowns, Japan is continuing to move forward as though nothing is happening. Trains are still crowded, people are still throwing hanami parties to appreciate the cherry blossoms, and people are still traveling (all while they fret and worry about the spread of Covid). I’ve heard of some companies in the larger cities letting their employees telecommute. However, the fact of the matter is that Japan’s infrastructure and work culture will not allow this to be a widespread solution.
But isn’t Japan super techonologically advanced? Aren’t Japanese people super clean?
Like most stereotypes, these statements aren’t true. Just because Japan’s toilets are fancy doesn’t mean everything else is too. Just because there’s not a lot of trash on the streets doesn’t mean Japan is spick and span. Heck, fax machines are still common and the cyber-security minister has never even used a computer. Many people still use flip phones (FLIP PHONES), and many more people don’t wash their hands or follow proper coughing etiquette. So no. Japan isn’t crazy advanced, nor is it super clean.
What is the government saying?
Nothing useful, that’s for sure. Lately, it seems like whenever they make some kind of decision, it’s either flip-flopping on an earlier decision, vague guidelines that make you wonder if they’re even taking this seriously, or a sudden, uninformed decision that throws everyone for a loop. It’s hard to know what’s even going on anymore.
The seemingly scant reporting on the Covid situation in Japan (both in English and Japanese) doesn’t help matters either. NHK (Japan’s only public broadcaster) has barely any information on their English site. The Japanese site, too, isn’t as detailed as I’d like it. For example, the extent of many articles is something like, “There is another case in OO Prefecture, OO City. The patient is in their 20s.” and that’s it. I want to know where they got it, how they got it, and who else could be at risk. I want to hear of testing and quarantines. I want to hear that the government is actually doing something about this.
As it stands, I’m getting a lot of news from Facebook. I was getting news from The Japan Times, but I’ve already used up my 10 free articles for the month. I feel like in circumstances like these, news sources should provide the news for free. Just my opinion.
How are you doing?
Living in Japan right now is stressful and confusing, and, I’ll be honest, it’s becoming harder and harder to stay positive. Everyday I go to work and read more stories about how the rest of the world is slowly shutting down. And here I am, in a place where “everything is fine.” It seriously feels a bit like Ba Sing Se in Avatar the Last Airbender — “You’re in Japan now! Everyone is safe here.” I know that it’s not that bad in my area right now (only 4 cases so far), but acting as if nothing is happening just feels… wrong.
To try and keep my head up, I’ve been limiting my news intake at work, starting new projects at home, and thinking about where I want to go when all this is over. It’s helping a little bit, but I guess what I really want is for Japan to wake up. Hopefully now they will since they postponed the Olympics! I’ll keep you updated, but in the meantime, stay safe!
