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Coronavirus fears give rise to stigma in local communities

39 Comments

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39 Comments
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Events like this really brings out the ignorance and worst in some people

22 ( +23 / -1 )

Common sense and facts are sadly lacking here. The man tested negative several times but idiots will think as they do; He was onboard that ship and I don't care that he's tested negative therefore I feel uneasy and I wish he would move away. This nation is filled with people who think like that that's why the lockdown isn't a lockdown. Masks will protect me. Japan is different from other countries. Aaaaaaargh.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

After one of its high school students, who was wearing a school uniform, was called disparaging names, all students were advised not to wear their uniform when coming to campus during the school closure for club activities.

Yes, that's mean, but why are they still going to the campus in the first place?

13 ( +13 / -0 )

There have been numerous reports of health care workers and their families being discriminated against.

WTF?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

"There was discrimination against leprosy and HIV, as people wanted to stay away from causes of infection," she said.

What about discrimination in general in Japan? Japan needs to take a STRONG stance against discrimination of all types! My wife said when she was in high school, she worked at a chain restaurant. At the training, they were told "If a black, indian or dark coloured person comes in, please don't sit them in the front or within view of the outside of the store because it would frighten away our Japanese customers. Please find somewhere towards the back for them."

It is the same as treating foreigners as if we have an infectious disease, thus isolating us.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

This is the underbelly of Japanese culture. Bullying is largely tolerated and it's the worst type, indirect bullying. The target finds it difficult to respond, since it's quite subtle yet very apparent and the bullies are cowardly sheep. Utterly disgusting behaviour!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

deep down Japan is still a feudal country that is uniquely unique in many peoples minds...

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Yes. Let's bully the victims.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@Laguna

Your friend is an idiot. Better to give out more information. The more we know, the more we can do.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If we are going to have moral education classes in school, this seems like a good place to start.

Like that comment the other day about Tokyo people now fleeing to Fukushima, never forget that circumstances can put the boot on another foot.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"I want people to imagine how they would feel if they themselves were to be discriminated against," Saito added.

No,Mr Saito.

What Japan needs are anti-discrimination laws!

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Discrimination by polite, quiet, follow the rules Japanese people?! That’s impossible!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

No. This is not a Japanese problem. It is ubiquitous. Human species have been stupid, selfish and ignorant more often not not. Look at stockpiling of toilet paper and facial masks around the world. Masks now become a religious talisman, which even Abe san believes in.

"We are all equal in our infinite ignorance." -- Karl Popper

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Yes, that's mean, but why are they still going to the campus in the first place?

Exactly my reaction.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"Nothing about me has really changed since before going on the cruise, but everyone around me has,"

It's like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I have it. I was posting on Facebook my symptoms as I thought others might be interested just in case, but a friend of mine sternly warned me to stop.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Yes we all know bullying is a cornerstone of Japanese culture. Just like how refugees from the Tohoku tsunami were bullied, anyone recovering from corona will also be bullied. Ironic how they are so concerned with this chap from the diamond princess, but are also incapable of avoiding pachinko, karaoke, and izakaya for a few weeks.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

""I want people to imagine how they would feel if they themselves were to be discriminated against," Saito added."

As the pandemic spreads they soon will be. Don't think any prefecture will be spared the coronavirus. When this happens, it will be the bigots who will be pleading "special cases" for themselves.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

We’re going back to the Dark Ages.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

As I've been living for almost 30 yrs here in Japan and had endured different kinds of discrimination, I'm now immune to it. Been avoiding doing the same to others as much as possible because I know the feeling. Just can't help hating people who don't feel well perhaps and who cough dryly as in the supermarket I went to yesterday. She may not have the covid19 virus but with the situation now just can't help being annoyed,

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Watch the film "Bashing" by Masahiro Kobayashi as a good illustration to the japanese bullying culture

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I have it. I was posting on Facebook my symptoms as I thought others might be interested just in case, but a friend of mine sternly warned me to stop.

I hope you recover quickly.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@sir_bentley28, next time I will pay more attention to where I am being seated, and if I experience it, I'll insist on a front-and-centre table.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Since it's predicted that 70 percent of humanity will catch coronavirus at some point, most of these bullies will have to eat their words when it's their turn to become ill.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This happened after Fukushima.

But I read it has happened in Germany, France and a few other places too.

The ironic thing is that I bet the ones complaining will be the first ones to disregard social distancing etc if it doesn't suit "their" wishes.

There are always a few... Sadly

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Speaking of moral education, we could use a bit more in the comments here. Don’t paint the whole country with the brush of a few cases.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Sorry to say but not only idiots will bully the covid victims. The sheepish style even in a neighbourhood will show you the difference in Japan compare to most western style countries. Laws against discrimination are hardly applicable as the main reason. Then helping those in need spirit by empathy and generosity is scarce since shintoism way of thinking (natural fate to occur)

Politicians and the medieval system will show their limit.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Eventually, anybody who merely walks out of their house without a full hazmat suit will be accused of "spreading the virus".

Eventually, people even in full hazmat suit, who already overcame the virus, and have antibodies, so there is no way in hell they can be contagious to anyone, will be accused of that.

This whole fiasco has shown how little people think before talking, and how much people refuse to think.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Airbnb need to STOP booking NOW.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Laguna: I have it.

Laguna - you are the first person I have first hand communication with who has contracted the virus. Can you say what your health situation is like and how you are being treated in the wider community. I don’t mean your virtual communities but those people you know personally and those living around you?

Wishing you comfort and a quick recovery.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@sir_bentley28, next time I will pay more attention to where I am being seated, and if I experience it, I'll insist on a front-and-centre table.

Yeah, please do so! And please take note to how subtle they try to lead you away from the main eating area and lead you to the counter area (to avert the customers from seeing your face) or somewhere where you're not easily visible.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What Japan needs are anti-discrimination laws!

No thanks. Who will decide what discrimination is? YOU?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Only in japan....

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Fear is a very human reaction to a mortal threat to ones life. The comments by some here are exaggerating the behavior of people who are mostly just afraid for their health. People are innately fearful of something they are not familiar with or understand. That is not excuse the few incidents of people verbally abusing formerly infected individuals. It is well known that there are a certain percentage of people that will lash out. Anyone who has lived in a different culture other than their own is aware of that.

No one is burning people at the stake. This is not a return to the Dark Ages. Once the immediate crisis abates and people become more accustomed to the situation there will be fewer incidents against formerly infected people. Human nature is what it is. Accept it. Respect people’s legitimate fears and do not take it personally.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Your friend is an idiot. Better to give out more information. The more we know, the more we can do.

There is already good enough information about the virus, so his own experience isn't going to be that relevant.

Spoiler alert: For most people it's like the flu

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

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