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Japan strengthens anti-virus measures in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa

67 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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67 Comments
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Yes, in effect not until next Monday for do you know how hard and long it takes to get a reservation at the most exclusive steakhouse in the Ginza?

8 ( +15 / -7 )

Just give us the vaccine. Please.

13 ( +25 / -12 )

With Japan's vaccination drive still at an early stage — just over 1 million, or less than 1% of its population have received their first of the two shots — the surge may cause further rerouting or cancelations of Olympic related events.

The clampdowns will be more strict -glad to be in the UK where the virus is being eradicated.

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

Let me guess, they will ask izakayas to close at 8pm?

Pretty much. That's their answer to everything. Close by 8, Ok now you can open until 9. Oops! Close by 8 again.

That's how it goes... everybody knows...

15 ( +23 / -8 )

Let me guess, wash your hands, avoid closed crowded places.

Turn on metro government building and rainbow bridge lights red. haha

12 ( +18 / -6 )

So Bars will be asked to close at 8 pm instead of 9.

Politicians will say they are monitoring the impact of the virus carefully more often, and promise more tests and also more variant analysis ( but as always not do any of this at least till after the Olympics)

And as for the vaccine rollout with recent discrediting of the AZ vaccine, which was to be the main stream of vaccines in Japan including being produced here, this will soon face further setbacks as the AZ vaccine may get no approval or be restricted to some age groups as elsewhere in the world. No herd immunity till 2022 or later, by which time new vaccines will be needed for the variants which will soon be predominate in Japan despite all the politicians careful monitoring of the situation.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Have we exited “Quasi” measures yet? Lost track...

11 ( +11 / -0 )

A surge in Tokyo from only 300 to 500 a day for 13 millions in the city. A few thousands will be a worry.

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

Look! @Montgomery. There’s a blondeperson” without a mask. (far back, left of center). Where’re they from?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Experts on a government panel

I love how they always say this! I am sure not ONE infectious disease expert was on this panel. Remember when the EXPERT blew the whistle on the cruise ship in Yokohama, and was escorted away? That is why the J-Govt only uses THEIR "Experts". If they used a real expert the truth would come out! We can't have the truth! The TRUTH must be surpressed!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Are we strengthening quasi measures now?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

More like:

- ”The Olympics in Tokyo overrides balancing the economy and the difficulty of anti-virus measures.”

- “The virus upsurge in Tokyo underscores the difficulty of balancing anti-virus measures and the economy.”

Whoa! We were off track there, for a moment. There. ’Priorities’ are back ‘in order’.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

kurisupisu:

The clampdowns will be more strict -glad to be in the UK where the virus is being eradicated.

So, did you manage do get the vaccination with the NHS, courtesy of tax-paying UK residents?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The virus is smarter than the people in charge.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

One of the best integrated action against the virus was carried out by South Korea (probably, the best carried out in Eastern Asia).

Korea immediately offered to the population clear behavior guidelines, carried out swabs extensively, isolated the positives cases and their contacts, and assisted the infected with high competence.

1) Identifying the infected, 2) isolating them, 3) treating them, were their correct moves.

And all without closing any productive or business activities (except for schools, gyms and cinemas, which were soon reopened), and without the confusing recommendations or ridiculous measures consisting in closing bars/restaurants only in the evening carried out in Japan.

Japan made mistakes and is doing mistakes, both due to the incompetence of the rulers and the stubborn desire to hold the Olympics.

I am aware of the historical rivalry between Japan and South Korea, but this time Japan should learn from the Koreans and follow their path.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

On Thursday, Koike called for the residents to avoid nonessential trips, social distancing and other basic measures.

I don't think this sentence says what it should be saying. Why on earth would she call for residents to avoid social distancing and other basic measures?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

On Thursday, Koike called for the residents to avoid nonessential trips, social distancing and other basic measures.

Does it mean we should avoid social distancing and other basic measures ?

Great !

5 ( +6 / -1 )

snowymountainhell

Look! @Montgomery. There’s a blonde “person” without a mask. (far back, left of center). Where’re they from?

Dunno for sure, but looks Japanese to me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@didou

Agreed. It's Hysteria.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

My buddy is getting the vaccine Monday. He's the first person I know in Japan to get it. He's a pharmacist with some form of responsibility for distribution in the town I live in, so he has to take it.

He doesn't want it. Classic.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

When read the article you get the feeling that JGOV moto is "we want a covid infection 0 before the Olympics at all costs, after the Olympics who cares anymore"

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think it is a good idea to destroy the lives of all small business owners and inflict depression, anxiety and domestic violence on 23 million citizens. Without experiencing poverty, ruin, pain, you can’t appreciate what you had before the unelected PM taught us this lesson.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

@marcelito

Ok, give us your wish list of recommendations. I mean with restaurants, shops, schools, offices. The whole lot. And how would you have it enforced? And with vaccines. Your thoughts.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The virus upsurge in Tokyo underscores the difficulty of balancing anti-virus measures and the economy.

There is none. Billionaires are getting richer and stock prices haven't dropped. 'The economy' is just an excuse to let the average person risk their lives on crowded trains to make money for the ones who own everything.

I've said it here before, but an overwhelmed healthcare system, thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of sick people aren't sings of a good economy. Taking measures from the beginning would have been much more efficient. But what do I know? I'm not even tied to any of the Olympics sponsors.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Quasi measures were quasi-ended (yesterday?).

Time to strengthen strong anti-virus measures

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well, that’s a unique variation to the ‘urging’ for Tokyo Governor Koike! - From the above article:

“On Thurs, Koike called for the residents to avoid nonessential trips, {____} social distancing and other basic measures.”

Perhaps {”continue practicing”} is missing? Anyway, with the Olympics on her mind, maybe it was a ‘Freudian slip’ or, an unintentional and ‘subconscious omission’.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's almost like Japan is taking zero notice, and learning nothing, from what is happening all around the world and just making it up as it goes along.

If you relax 'emergency measures' without vaccinating, then positive cases will increase. That is pretty much common sense and has been seen to be the case numerous times in almost every country around the world that has taken similar actions. I mean, just think - why would relaxing emergency measures without vaccinating anyone have any other outcome?

It's like having a hole in the bottom of your boat and seeing it fill up with water, then blocking half the hole and removing buckets of water from the boat. When the water is down to ankle level what is going to happen if you unblock the hole? Apparently those making the decisions in Japan think that nothing will happen, and actually the remaining water will somehow magically disappear.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Let me see this headline say two months ahead.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You cannot have a few thousands cases with only a few thousand tests

If It were thousands of sick people, it would be more tests too,

maybe

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@HBJ

Good analogy. But I'm not sure it's only incompetence. It seems to me there are two more factors. One is Nippon Kaigi's blind nationalism, i.e. 'We can't learn from others because we, as humans, are fundamentally different'. The other one corruption that is putting the Olympics and domestic pharmaceutical companies before public health.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"All the elderly by the end of June will be vaccinated" ...quoted from NHK about 30 minutes ago. If you believe that thumb it down.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Many of Tokyo's cases have been linked to nightlife and dining,

Well, I just got back from a party and we were very cautious. Even used sign language and texting instead of talking. Beat the 8 o'clock closing time, so the virus was still asleep waiting to attack after that anyway.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

How about vaccinating us so we can get back to normal faster?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The LDP and there three rings circus is doing the greatest job in the world. Hats off! Japan should be leading every country by example...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Dunno for sure, but looks Japanese to me.

It's usually always Japanese people without masks here.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How about use the vaccine as they arrive? Not this silly unscientific schedules.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry @Montego! We missed another one! {red ’hoodie’, far right; (some possible facial hair)} What’s ‘their’ story without a mask?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Zoroto said it best yesterday:

State of Emergency: Close bars at 8pm

Quasi State of Emergency: Close bars at 8pm

Stronger Measures: Close bars at 8pm

Medical Emergency: Close bars at 8pm

We have some real creative geniuses running this country....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That tune changed quick! At least the government and media are no longer just favoring Tokyo and the Olympics. The 5:00 pm headline dropped “ - in Tokyo, 3 months ahead of Olympics - “ and replaced it 6:45pm with “Japan strengthens anti-virus measures in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa.”

Good move, politically, as the next ‘surge’ is possibly building momentum.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Maybe they'll have restaurants and bars display a double rainbow sign, instead of a single rainbow one, as a symbol of "strengthened" measures?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I see we have now learnt that you can only fudge the numbers and refuse to test for so long before it starts to get completely out of hand where so many people are infected that you start having more and more worse case scenarios and new worlds first operations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

DID I READ THIS RIGHT? So, the alert is being raised only because of the summer Olympics? Why not raise the alert not just because of the olympics but because of health concerns period!!

Japan announced Friday that it will raise the coronavirus alert level in Tokyo to allow tougher measures to curb the rapid spread of a more contagious variant ahead of the Summer Olympics.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Please lock down. Lives are more important than capitalism.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Well, I just got back from a party and we were very cautious. Even used sign language and texting instead of talking.

When I’ve visited Anaheim, my favorite attraction has been Fantasyland too!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I wouldn't be so eager to pump an emergency use (not approved) mRNA gene therapeutic into your system unless you are the high risk category but even then the people getting the shot are getting no more freedoms from masks etc. You should probably ask a few virologist why!? What exactly is in these so called vaccines? Does you doctor give you a list of ingredients if asked?

I know the hard answers and I will rely on my own immune system rather than putting it in the hands of big pharma trusting they have my best interest at heart. I'll pass on their live beta test.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Please lock down. Lives are more important than capitalism.

Don't worry, by the time this virus is through with humanity many more of us are going to see the virtues of a shot in the arm of some socialism as a suitable antidote to the last 40 years of unrestrained greed, selfishness and neoliberal ideology that has brought the planet to the brink.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@u_s__reamer

Sure hope you're being facetious.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Sure hope you're being facetious.

Sounds like you have a short memory, or maybe you haven't lived as long as I have. Hint: Vietnam? Nixon? Reagan and the neo-con "trickle down"? No, I'm not facetious, after 40 years of right-wing gas-lighting and the "American Dream" (culminating in Covid) I'm now woke and mad as heck, and I'm not going to take this anymore. Socialism? Bring me some!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@marcelito

Perhaps they should allow the option not to take the "vaccine" and instead take precautions against it and, for those who get it and are not "vaccinated", offer other treatments. If you really want to put your faith in this "vaccine", then by all means...

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Present incompetent Suga government increased domestic Covid-19 victim to over six times since start of his regime last September.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So focusing on the tangible ....... does anybody know a good site which resumes which manufacturers’ vaccines have reached approval status for giving shots in Japan ?

Assuming this is not a long list, when are the respective vaccines expected to gain approval for roll out ?

thx G

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@LifeOutSideTheBox

どうぞ

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2021-03-03/covid-19-pfizer-astrazeneca-vaccine-ingredients-components/13137240

https://vaccinesafety.edu/components-COVID-19.htm

Please do not forget to pay the bill before leaving.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ridiculous. If you're worried, stay at home. If you're the government, improve the health system.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We will do everything to contain infections within the affected areas and prevent them from spreading across the country," Suga told reporters. Telling bars and restaurants to close by 8:pm suga san this isn’t working please do something else....... coronavirus is not sleeping in a day and waking up after 8:pm only

1 ( +1 / -0 )

seriously this government are doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result . It’s never going going to end at this rate !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why not follow a real leader like President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Dr. Fauci. they got the vaccine to almost 200 million in 60 days. The Pfizer, Moderna and J&J have over a 90% efficy rate. Why has not Japan ask for their help to help the Japanese Pharmaceutical industry for a fee of course.

Till 80 -90 % of the populace the virus will not be controlled

Follow the USA and Canada measures as they are winning the war with the virus. over 25% of the USA are fully vaccinated since February and 40% or more have at least 1 dose.

The USA declared war and went into wartime measures to produce needles, vaccines and masks.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The clinical studies that have been long awaited of chlorine dioxide treatment for Covid have at last been released, and they conclude unequivocally that it is 100% effective in curing the virus, despite the ongoing disinfo efforts of the pharmaceutical industry to repress this knowledge and its use, as it cannot be patented. It looks like the solution, but financial considerations militate against its becoming known other than by the info going viral. Before starting blustering, see the study at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AX2IOOP2CnOEFE9mfcspV_Mf96Ra76pU/view

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

DocCarlosApr. 10 12:27 pm JST

Why not follow a real leader like President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Dr. Fauci. they got the vaccine to almost 200 million in 60 days. The Pfizer, Moderna and J&J have over a 90% efficy rate. Why has not Japan ask for their help to help the Japanese Pharmaceutical industry for a fee of course.

Till 80 -90 % of the populace the virus will not be controlled

Follow the USA and Canada measures as they are winning the war with the virus. over 25% of the USA are fully vaccinated since February and 40% or more have at least 1 dose.

The USA declared war and went into wartime measures to produce needles, vaccines and masks.

Actually, it was the deregulation under Trump that got these vaccines tested and approved, plus he even stated that 100 Million would be vaccinated by April. Currently 179M doses given, 68M fully vaccinated (~15-28% of each states population have been vaccinated). Not bad for being "wrong".

https://khn.org/morning-breakout/enough-vaccine-for-all-americans-by-april-trump-says-yes-experts-say-probably-not/

So if you read the link, all the MSM doubted this but where I live, this state is starting to vaccinate anyone 16 or older (currently ~20%). So at least ~25% of the country is done..... We're getting there. But for Japan, it has been the increasingly bureaucratic system that has to get permission to have a meeting to plan a seminar to raise awareness then test before having a panel discuss the merits of a vaccine before doing their own trials.... Arrrgggggghhhh. The countries that are the most successful (as pointed out earlier), copy them. Wether it's Korea, UK, US, AUS, NZ. They seemed to have gotten this right.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And just HOW are they going to strengthen the situation, by going back and closing early? I tell you, this government is not and does not move fast enough to investigate and control the situation. They are mostly concerned about their pride to hold the Olympics in which the only people who are coming out ahead in the end are the Olympic Committee, the Tokyo Governor and those politicians and interest groups that are getting kick backs from this. Now, if Suga puts the athletes ahead of most people for the vaccinations, then it will just make things worse for everyone else.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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