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© KYODOJapan starts year's 1st day of work amid Omicron fears
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justasking
I'm waiting for my officemates' symptoms to appear and test positive before I go to the office.
diagonalslip
Japanese from all walks of life commented, but not one of them mentioned "fear" of Omicron.....
yakyak
Ha! What else do they do if they don’t work?
vaxatharian
Given the number of people out and about, up close to each other, they don't seem all that fearful. The mass media seem hellbent on propagating fear, but it seems that they're becoming less successful by the day. Serves them right.
I think the Japanese would rather get back to fearing things they're familiar with, like upsetting the harmony, leaving work on time, and saying what they really think.
kurisupisu
I’ve had a few close shaves with errant drivers this New Year but not much fear of Omicron-do journalists not cross roads in order to travel to work?
SDCA
a 90 minute commute? It sucks that you can't find a decent office job outside of central Tokyo otherwise I'd tell her to look for another job.
John Noun
Sad and depressing. Both the picture and the attitude of those interviewed.
Iron Lad
Very inspiring.
That's so Japan!
El Rata
Fears of omicron? Who fears that thing? I just came back to the mainland from Okinawa a few days ago and my plane was full, next to my boarding gate there was a huge JAL A350 bound for Haneda, also full. Nobody cares anymore.
Iron Lad
@P. Smith
Yep, Japanese people and asian in general are industrious and hard-working.
Leo
Nothing to fear. We all go to work.
Ninja
Iron LadToday 06:16 pm JST
Very inspiring.
That's so Japan!
Why did you repeatedly say "be careful everyone" when corona rises? Is this the way to be careful?
Iron Lad
@Ninja
Corona doesn't take away from the inspiring scene of people praying before Buddha.
That's the strength of Japan.
Iron Lad
@P. Smith
China no. 1.
Japan no. 3.
India no. 6.
Korea, and then ASEAN follows suit.
justasking
Yeah, no. Japanese are notorious for staying at the office for long times, even though they are doing nothing.
That’s not hardworking. That’s wasting time.
Iron Lad
@justasking
I will just let the results speak for themselves.
ロンゴ デイビット
Omicron's symptoms are less severe compared to delta's. Lets hope that we gradually get back to a normal life.
snowymountainhell
Understood the first 11 paragraphs of gov’t & business concerns with Omicron but what’s with this extra ‘bit of pork’ tied into the tail of the topic ? - It’s not like TEPCO’s annual speech is going to change what happened, what hasn’t happened (for the displaced) in 10 years nor what will happen next year.:
Doc
Well said. But unfortunately we do have some “data hesitant “ types that seem afraid of their own shadows. And they’ll never really overcome their self induced delusions.
Iron Lad
@P. Smith
What is the economy without the workers?
And China has surpassed USA this year, becoming the richest country in the world.
purple_depressed_bacon
By the looks of that picture, there doesn't seem to be much fear or concern about Omicron. They're only complaining now because their companies are forcing them back into the office.
Also, a 90min commute? Poor lady.
Ninja
@iron lad
@Ninja
Corona doesn't take away from the inspiring scene of people praying before Buddha.
That's the strength of Japan.
you are funny. Your facts are only for justify the decisions of the government.
Even when numbers are less than 30 in Tokyo you said "be careful everyone"
you are just creating unwanted fear.
when it comes to the people gathering you are saying its inspiring. Wow!!!
snowymountainhell
Perhaps they’re not ‘allowed’ to do otherwise @Reckless 5:04pm and one of the pitfalls of some J employees sharing a little too much of their home-lives with coworkers on social media? : “Yamashita-san’s new hobby has really taken flight and she’s got a new lease on life. It might even be become a new ‘business’ for her!” - “*Cut her remote access and get her back in the office Jan 4th!”. *
From the article:
“Akiko Yamashita, resumed her :90 commute to/from the office as instructed by the company after working from home for some time. "I loved spending time for my new hobbies. I really wanted this new lifestyle to take root,"Iron Lad
@Ninja
Those aren't mutually exclusive.
You can tell people to be careful, and still be in awe of such an inspiring sight.
Unless you are scared of the Buddha, of course!
Ninja
@Iron Lad,
According to Buddhism, only the Lord Buddha is worshiped. Worshiping God is another topic. If you talk about corona increase with unnecessary fear, isn't the accumulation of people like this a reason for corona increase?
Iron Lad
@Ninja
No, there are various Buddha, Bodhi and other deities to be worshiped, and worship in the East isn't in the West.
And yes, one can tell people to be fearful of corona, and yet still be in awe of inspiring sight, regardless of corona.
Grant
Godbless the sacred land of Japan and the Japanese people may god give you a year full of life and love after recent covid strife.
Iron Lad
@zichi
You can study for aeon, yet will never reach Nivarna.
Peter Neil
Is the headline with the word "fear" a fact, an opinion or just news hype?
shogun36
really?
I couldn’t tell with all the “cool” guys with chin warmers or no mask at all walking around today.
dagon
@P. Smith
China no. 1.
Japan no. 3.
India no. 6.
Korea, and then ASEAN follows suit.
I find your belief system fascinating, please tell me more. It seems to be an amazing farrago.
But Korea is best IMHO.
spinningplates
Lol...zero 'fear' in that photo. If you live in Tokyo, you are going to get a dose of Omicron.
kurisupisu
Omicron fears?
Has there been a sudden departure from Tokyo where social distancing might occur in your dream?
Thousands of people at Kanda shrine don’t seem to be fearful, do they?
I wouldn’t bother riding trains these days not because of Omicron fears but I don’t care much for crowds and being stared at…less a fear more a slight phobia.
noriahojanen
Quite many are asymptomatic, pretty "workable" but should stay away from workplaces for days without substitutes. Worse in Japan, up until recently all those who test omcron positive shall be "hospitalized" regardless of symptom levels. This is how economy and society end up being paralyzed. When will we regain our perspective?
Earlier we had never panicked common flu same as toxic and infectious as omicron. We didn't have easy testing methods available, must have missed many untested cases, but that was fine. Vaccines weren't always reliable for seasonal flu, but that was fine. We all are mortal while most corona patients fulfill their lives at the average mortality age or longer (BTW, common cold and Sars have killed many young children despite vaccination and medication. That was..not really fine, but we never demanded lockdowns or border shutdown). When will we regain our common sense and balanced view?
Maybe from now on we should be more fearful of common cold, no? I feel like exploring it, and that would be more meaningful and practical than emotional swing, driven by ups/downs of daily numbers.
Yrral
The economy will crater in March, when Covid subsidies run out in America
TARA TAN KITAOKA
Total lock down.
Sanjinosebleed
Fear of a runny nose???
what has the world come to??
Steve
You would never guess it’s the first day of work. Last night many people drunk in the bars and karaoke parlors