Commuters walk at a train station in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: REUTERS/Stringer
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COVID vaccines to be available to all under 65 in Japan at same time

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I'm not holding my breath

30 ( +35 / -5 )

Wow, with the way this is worded, we should all be vaccinated within a month and Japan would be the fastest nation on earth to give the jab to all its peoples.

Well I guess there was nothing to worry about LOL

35 ( +42 / -7 )

Sinovac?

-25 ( +5 / -30 )

What a mess.

29 ( +35 / -6 )

raising the maximum number of inoculations per day to 10,000 in Tokyo

10,000 vaccinations a day capacity in Tokyo? We are in for the long haul here.

34 ( +40 / -6 )

The central government is also considering administering ... the vaccine at workplaces to further accelerate the rollout.

Excellent plan!

17 ( +23 / -6 )

I've never been against vaccines, however something seems wrong with this.

0 ( +20 / -20 )

raising the maximum number of inoculations per day to 10,000 in Tokyo

Metropolitan Tokyo Area has around 38 million people, but lets consider the 9 million this article mentions, which is referred to the 23 wards:

9 million / 10,000 = 900

900/365 = 2,46 years.

Considering the usual J-Gov bureaucracy and delays, lets be positive and hope we will take...

At least 4 years to vaccinate the Tokyo population.

35 ( +40 / -5 )

"The central government is also considering administering ... the vaccine at workplaces to further accelerate the rollout."

I thought that one of the main problems with the vaccination program was a lack of personnel authorized to give a jab... So how exactly this plan is going to help accelerate the rollout is not quite clear to me...

26 ( +28 / -2 )

It is good to see Japan always HAS a plan. However, all of their "plans" fail..time.and.time.again.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

This is a step in the right direction.

-7 ( +13 / -20 )

By the time Japan finishes vaccinating everyone, Covid would probably be eradicated in the rest of the world.

18 ( +23 / -5 )

Can we start the week with some positivity please? Finally this is some good news.

-10 ( +11 / -21 )

So if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you have to go to your doctor, get a certificate that says you have a medical condition, then submit that to your ward office, who will then send you a vaccination voucher sometime in the future. Wow - that sounds really efficient.

Of course the logical thing to do, is to just go to your doctor, who probably already knows your medical history, and you can get the vaccine shot right then and there.

21 ( +24 / -3 )

if we wait until everyone (with underlying conditions) has been vaccinated, we don't know when it will be completed,

Though this defies the logic of science since over 65s are the most vulnerable, it should be understood that this has been announced suddenly ONLY to give justification for the plan to vaccinate all the OLYMPIC ATHELETES starting this week.

31 ( +33 / -2 )

rowiko68, "The central government is also considering administering ... the vaccine at workplaces to further accelerate the rollout."

I thought that one of the main problems with the vaccination program was a lack of personnel authorized to give a jab... So how exactly this plan is going to help accelerate the rollout is not quite clear to me...

I think what this means is that it will be up to the company to find a doctor or nurse to provide the injection. Thus alleviating this burden from the Ministry of Health and forcing it on the companies.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

I am guessing it’s at least 10万 per day, which would still be a third of what my under-developing country Italy is doing, or 100万, which would be wishful thinking of course, but definitely not 10,000 per day unless we have officially entered a new Era of Absurdity.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Seriously, if they pull this off and we can all get vaccinated fairly soon then someone needs a $£%#n medal for sorting this mess out. If it’s just business as usual and just another bit of PR then I’ll be the first to say €#%£ you to this inept government. Let’s see what happens.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Everyday they change their “proposals”. Absolutely do not trust any of them.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

It all depends on your municipal wards and how efficient they are. Some are better than others for a variety of reasons too numerous to mention here. but it makes no sense to think about it in terms of the greater Tokyo population. Anyway, I know of many people who are now getting or already have been vaccinated so for once maybe we can stop with all the negativity and regard this as somewhat positive news. I know that’s a big ask for many here.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

@divinda

You nailed it.

The gov't can also say that any Japanese can get vaccinated, they just need to contact their local authorities. The gov't just dumped it on them to "prioritize". We all know what that will lead to.

It doesn't matter how many people can ask for a vaccination.

What matters is how many are actually given per day. About 10 times the current rate...

11 ( +12 / -1 )

@Zoroto

“Going to get the Johnson & Johnson in the US in early July “

Wait, Did you know that Denmark has banned the J&J vaccine for safety reasons?

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

I'm not holding my breath

I'll second that. I'll believe it when I see it.

The central government is also considering administering ... the vaccine at workplaces to further accelerate the rollout.

That is a good plan. They can also administer the vaccine at schools and universities...every school has a nurse that can do this.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

TokyoJoe....

10,000 vaccinations a day capacity in Tokyo? We are in for the long haul here.

That is just the capacity of the "mega" center in Otemachi. Each Ku and ward also has their own center as well as clinics, hospitals and health centers. Also thats the official capacity.... they are not reaching that number.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

I will believe this when I see it.

Until then, it's just another empty LDP pledge.

Saturday, I suddenly developed a fever of 38.8. The wife spent the entire day trying to arrange a covid test for me. Every single hospital she called was unable to help, and every pharmacy was sold out of PCR kits.

I have to wait until tomorrow for a mail order kit to arrive.

Absolute shambles.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Hey how about all the people on here who leave negative comments such as "I'm not holding my breath" instead of just a complaint give a resolve to the issue. Te reason the media lets us make a comment on articles is partly due to authorities involved reading the comments and getting ideas from them. If you don't have an idea on how to help don't comment at all. Yes the roll out of the vaccine is slow but with 80% of the people on here who leave such comments the GOVT is dammed either way as if they rushed to get it out and there was a screw up you would have been moaning about that too.

-15 ( +6 / -21 )

Te reason the media lets us make a comment on articles is partly due to authorities involved reading the comments and getting ideas from them.

No, the medial lets you make comments on articles because it drives up interaction, and leads to more page hits and therefore higher advertising revenue. Not because of some idealistic reason you've come up with.

28 ( +30 / -2 )

Of course the logical thing to do, is to just go to your doctor, who probably already knows your medical history, and you can get the vaccine shot right then and there.

Correct me if I am wrong, but people here don't have a "doctor" like in many other countries. As far as I know, one clinic doesn't keep medical records, since you have freedom of choice of medical providers. There are pros and cons of this system, one of the cons becoming apparent due to the pandemic.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It's bad enough the rollout being super slow, but are they now saying a 15 year old has the same priority as a 64 year old?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Is this good news or bad news? so many posters here seem rather not want govt to do good job

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

In other words, "essential" workers will be left out as most people in Japan work at very small places. 

Not necessarily as essential workers can and are being given priority. My next door neighbor's wife has already been vaccinated as she works as a receptionist at a clinic.

Frankly, essential workers should be prioritized over a bunch of salarymen and office ladies.

the issue isn't an issue of priorities. its an issue of logistics. we need to vaccinate as many people as possible, and if vaccine distribution is extended to the workplaces and schools, it would certainly help everybody.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

About 10,000,000 vaccinations have been given in the past 103 days.

That is an average of only about 100,000 per day.

All hands on deck, or else this will take quite a long time to finish up.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Te reason the media lets us make a comment on articles is partly due to authorities involved reading the comments and getting ideas from them.

"No, the medial lets you make comments on articles because it drives up interaction, and leads to more page hits and therefore higher advertising revenue. Not because of some idealistic reason you've come up with."

Strangerland. Do you have some involvement with the media that makes your statement correct? You actually have no idea right? How about you just stop complaining and let the GOVT do what they need to do.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Anyway, Japan is securing enough vaccines. Some say it is as a result of consideration of the west for Japan that is holding Olympics soon. In the meantime, South Korea is having a trouble in getting hold of the the vaccines, I hear.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Good Job J government!

-18 ( +3 / -21 )

It's about time. Now all need to do is join the 100 mile line.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Zoroto...

Is there an online source of all places giving vaccines?

Not that I know of but my ward has a temporary vaccination center set up, the city heath center, local clinics and at least two hospitals are also doing vaccinations. We are not special! Other wards are doing the same.

The speed is picking up.. still woefully slow, but getting better. Well, couldn't get worse could it?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I think many of you are also forgetting that they are still using the Pfizer vaccine which is very hard to handle. Remember it needs to be kept extra cold. How are they going to get around that problem while making vaccines available to companies etc. I know the Moderna vaccine doesn't need to be kept so cold, but it is not as easy as just handing someone of bottle of pills and telling them to pass them out!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

r KiplingToday  07:54 am JST

TokyoJoe....

10,000 vaccinations a day capacity in Tokyo? We are in for the long haul here.

That is just the capacity of the "mega" center in Otemachi. Each Ku and ward also has their own center as well as clinics, hospitals and health centers. Also thats the official capacity.... they are not reaching that number.

Thanks for this accuracy,

rather than for many, bashing before carefully reading or searching about the vaccination capacity or situation.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

the health minister said Sunday.

Keep talking jokers. That’s all you guys can do, is talk. We are still not seeing anything being accomplished.

Let us know when things are actually happening, then maybe we will be positive and supportive of things you do. Maybe.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Like others already stated: I believe it, when I see it.

Up until now there were just too many promises and considerations.

Even at this pace it will take months until we in "inaka" will get our shot.

If anything happens before that I will gladly update my comment.

Sorry. When you believe it cuz you saw it, there's no thread as JT wouldn't deal with good news.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Can we start the week with some positivity please? Finally this is some good news.

Around here, positivity is a big no-no to be among the popular. Go into every comment that every white cloud has a dark lining.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

By essentially workers I mean people who work at the combini and delivery services, for example... those who interact with dozens/hundreds of people a day.

I am not seeing any evidence of these people being given priority.

I have. I asked the lady at our local supermarket if she had been vaccinated and I was pleasantly surprised to see that she has. Now true that I don't ask every delivery person or conbini worker, but there is some evidence that they are being thought about.

Maybe they fall under the "workplaces" umbrella somehow if they don't work for a franchise, but what I know about Japan, this very much sounds like a "corporate office" instead of the boots on the ground.

maybe. I don't know to be honest. I'm guessing that it is very much a patchwork of responses in different places. we can both agree the J gov hasn't done a very good job so far.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Kono Taro/Taro Kono passing the buck to local municipalities. "Hey, I may be the Minister of Vaccines but it's the mayor of Doronkomura who's in charge now. Call him if you don't like it."

Strangerland. Do you have some involvement with the media that makes your statement correct? You actually have no idea right? How about you just stop complaining and let the GOVT do what they need to do.

Yeah Strangerland, stop commenting on the internet cuz you're interfering with the government vaccine programme, bro. It's your fault granny can't get a shot dude, so just shut up and let Kono Taro consider some stuff, alright?

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Somebody in the super intelligent health ministry forgot to do some basic math on their figures LOL

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Government shifting blame, how you logicaiscally going to pull that off?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I have. I asked the lady at our local supermarket if she had been vaccinated and I was pleasantly surprised to see that she has.

I assume she was over 65?

lol! Never ask a lady her age, so I don't know. But she didn't seem to be that old.

Otherwise how did she get vaccinated?

Maybe its a company policy? Maybe her employment procured the vaccine? Your guess is as good as mine.

I would assume some article would mention that under-65 non-Olympic non-healthcare workers were receiving vaccines, because that would actually be very good news.

that would be good news

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So reading under the lines, I see that for politicians and their good friends to be able to get their vaccination next, the government is willing to sacrifice at risk people who would need to sit in the same waiting room for a vaccine as people who potentially could already possibly have covid.

I would suggest all at risk people to wait until after they are done so as not to get infected during the inoculation process.

This is a bad idea...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"Of course the logical thing to do, is to just go to your doctor, who probably already knows your medical history, and you can get the vaccine shot right then and there."

and if your doctor does not have the freeze to store the jab?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Good to know that the covid-19 vaccine can be taken at workplace. Last year we all got influenza vaccine at workplace, they have the know how to do it.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

My suggestion is to go back to your home country as soon as possible to get vaccinated. Every day spent in Japan just adds to the risk. It is worth the time and money to not have to worry even remotely about the consequences of catching this out of control virus here.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

In the meantime they are still trying to sort out Olympic athletes, health workers and over 65s, and probably in that order.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

More smoke and mirrors!

To say publicly everyone will be able and it actually being true are very different things.

My children's mid 90s grandparents got their papers tried to get and appointment and when they finally did it isn't untilid July.

So unless they suddenly open a lot of new places in Tokyo and open appointments spaces it seems highly unlikely.

And if they actually did open New place and more space then I would expect them to move the elderly that are now scheduled for mid to late July to earlier dates.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Making everyone eligible with so few shots available is just a way to let the rich and powerful jump the queue.

Yup, our non-corrupt local officials will do the prioritizing.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I do see one way this could happen (sort of).

In my home country in the province where my family is the due to what was perceived as hesitancy or worry over AZ vaccine they opened up vaccination to all no appointment for anyone willing to get the AZ Vaccine.

Despite what the news, etc... claimed that people didn't want or were scared the vaccine centres and doctors with AZ storage capacity were swamped with those willing to take the AZ vaccine.

So seeing Japan has a lot of AZ and storage temperature is between 2~8C° for up to 6 months, any doctor's office, clinic, etc...can handle it.

As long a the person has no history of blood clots and is not taking female hormone therapy/birth control pills, the risks are even less than the over reactions made in the news.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So much negativity.

Yes, the government have wasted the first half of the year, but it looks like we are moving in the right direction.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

LOL My local public Hospital does not do vaccinations, neither does the University Hospital 40km away, nor any of the clinics around her. The only place is a Health Center which does not have any large rooms, so the only way for them to do mass vaccinations is to use the car park. So much for Kono's big plan!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

OMG ? "next month" ? That is June ! Ooookay.. looking forward .. can't wait actually

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So much negativity.

Yes, the government have wasted the first half of the year, but it looks like we are moving in the right direction.

Now ask why?

Anyone with Japanese family and elderly members will tell you how things are in reality.

I have 2 extended Japanese families.

My wife's family and my children's family.

No one over 65 in my wife's family have been vaccinated and none has even been able to schedule an appointment not even her now 90 year old grandma or her mother who works in an elderly care home.

The only family members that have an appointment are my children's grandparents both in their mid 90s and with every member trying we finally got them an appointment but not until mid July.

So logic if these elderly are not able to get appointments and those that have aren't scheduled until mid July, saying anyone can get vaccinated is a bit dishonest seeing no slots are even available for many elderly at this point.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Locations: The local ward and prefecture pages I’ve checked have lists of where the vaccines are being/will be offered. These are similar to the lists for national health exams and they include a lot of clinics. Most clinics should have refrigerated storage if they do any sort of injection. −80 cold, I don't know, but I expect the storage standard will be adequate. In my area, there were about a dozen places within 1 km of my home. These are in addition to the “mass” vaccination centers. Many (probably most) areas also are planning civic centers, etc. as larger-scale vaccination spots from June/July. Unsurprisingly, I haven’t found any such lists in English. It does, however, seem most wards will have a hotline to help w/English, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese, etc.

Going to U.S. for vaccine: I’d strongly considered it and mapped it out. It's not easy because I'm not in metro Tokyo. Actually, it may be faster to go to Guam these days (read about their "AirVnV"). Leaving would entail expensive PCR tests on both ends, lots of waiting, and then you have to quarantine for 2 weeks when you’re back. Also, if you’re not in Tokyo or Osaka metro, you need a private ride to get home. So for me, it’d mean 2 weeks in a hotel or Airbnb. Not ideal and another considerable expense. I'll wait.

Overall: Japan’s avoidably and inexcusably slow for a major developed country. True. There are other emerging or developed countries in the region that have it worse because they have less clout and messier logistics. Some are moving faster (but also have to settle for Sinovac). Many poor countries have barely made a start. They’re the ones that will continue to truly suffer at a mass scale, for a long time, unless rich nations start sharing more. More likely, they'll get the Sinovac and Sputnik, and whatever future IOUs that entails.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

OMG, someone must have turned on the lights in the health ministry.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Time for the US military to help poor struggling Japan.

Come on Japan ask them they'll show you how it's done. ha

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@Antiquesaving

I have no idea where your elderly relatives live, but my parents in law have been vaccinated along with people I know who work in elderly care homes.

Some local governments are better than others

The reason why they are lowering the age is

Many elderly people don't want to/ can't travel to mass vaccination centers so unless they lower the age these centers won't run at full capacity.
-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Strangerland. Do you have some involvement with the media that makes your statement correct? You actually have no idea right?

I actually do. I've worked directly with media companies on their online platforms, marketing, and SEO. I know exactly how media companies build their systems, what their KPI is, and the tools they use to build reader/user engagement.

How about you just stop complaining and let the GOVT do what they need to do.

How is pointing out your fundamental misunderstanding on why the media lets people comment on stories preventing the government from doing what they need to do?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I'll believe it when I see it. While I don't have any underlying health conditions, I think those that do and the elderly should get priority. The daily death toll is still over 100. At the end of the day, vaccination roll out should never have been this damn slow. Even my very young relatives in New York are going to get it soon because everybody else in the household have had it already.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I see, herd immunity by mass gatherings and less distancing.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Many elderly people don't want to/ can't travel to mass vaccination centers so unless they lower the age these centers won't run at full capacity.

The first part of the above makes little sense seeing Japan's elderly are those that regularly get flu vaccine every year and are the ones to be less hesitant to be vaccinated.

The second point if true means there is a serious problem with the system and these vaccination centres

As for:

I have no idea where your elderly relatives live, 

3 regions norther Honshu, Tokyo and South West Kanto.

Only ones to get an appointment which isn't until mid July are in Tokyo.

Interesting you know so many.

My mother in law's employer is a company with a considerable number of elderly care homes in Tokyo and Saitama and not a single worker has yet to be vaccinated and the owners have requested many times as to when and have reviewed nearly zero information.

We know this because the workers were quitting and the company released the information of their request, inquiries to the government and the scant replies says basically nothing.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the country's vaccination efforts, said Saturday in an internet program that the government will leave the decision about who should be prioritized once the inoculation of the elderly is completed to the municipalities."

I knew... I KNEW this was going to follow immediately after their big claim that they'll inoculate the nation "at the same time". Yeah, the municipalities will be in charge... same ones that just let 1000 doses rot in Fukuoka because they forgot to keep them temperature controlled; same municipalities that keep doing the same in Kobe, or accidentally giving patients two doses and then not having enough to fill the reservations; and all under the reservation system that collapsed on its first day, and was manipulated by newspapers later. In other words... more lip service from a government that requires so much paperwork and BS that relief money from LAST APRIL still hasn't gotten to many restaurants that were promised them if they closed down for the first SOE.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Yukijin: "This is a step in the right direction."

No... it's TALKING about taking a step in the right direction, then asking others to start walking first, in the dark, with their feet tied.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

From June? Really? Absolutely nobody believes this.

Over 65s here who called the same day they received their cards were told "End of August...." and there are, as we all know, a lot of over 65s here....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

There seems to be many more ideas being discussed, and hopefully appropriately considered, to accelerate the vaccine efforts. Whether they can actually pull any of it off remains to be seen.

The problem I have is why only now are these types of ideas and acceleration being considered? The "desire" to hold the Olympics was not enough; the damage to the economy was not enough; the financial impact on the people (e.g. loss of employment) was not enough; the strain on the medical system was not enough...

Are these ideas now being considered because business leaders and other first world countries have "named" Japan for it's inability to act appropriately? Just wondering since the government keep threating to "name" people for actions that might have a negative impact on the COVID situation...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I knew... I KNEW this was going to follow immediately after their big claim that they'll inoculate the nation "at the same time". Yeah, the municipalities will be in charge... same ones that just let 1000 doses rot in Fukuoka because they forgot to keep them temperature controlled; same municipalities that keep doing the same in Kobe, or accidentally giving patients two doses and then not having enough to fill the reservations; and all under the reservation system that collapsed on its first day, and was manipulated by newspapers later. In other words... more lip service from a government that requires so much paperwork and BS that relief money from LAST APRIL still hasn't gotten to many restaurants that were promised them if they closed down for the first SOE.

Having fun?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

The vaccination centers are only open for 3 months. If you cannot immediately get an appointment, after August and Olympics, there will pretty much be zero chance to get vaccines as government will no longer have the incentive to vaccinate the population without the Olympics.

10,000 a day in a city of several millions, very few people will have access.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Highlander in TokyoToday 10:55 am JST

The problem I have is why only now are these types of ideas and acceleration being considered? The "desire" to hold the Olympics was not enough; the damage to the economy was not enough; the financial impact on the people (e.g. loss of employment) was not enough; the strain on the medical system was not enough...

Are these ideas now being considered because business leaders and other first world countries have "named" Japan for it's inability to act appropriately? Just wondering since the government keep threating to "name" people for actions that might have a negative impact on the COVID situation...

This is a good question. The original Tokyo 2020 games were cancelled on March 24th last year and rescheduled to begin on July 23rd this year. That's 16 months. Given their supposed commitment to holding the Games the woefully slow response of the Japanese government is simply baffling.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

AntiquesavingToday  10:42 am JST

Many elderly people don't want to/ can't travel to mass vaccination centers so unless they lower the age these centers won't run at full capacity.

The first part of the above makes little sense seeing Japan's elderly are those that regularly get flu vaccine every year and are the ones to be less hesitant to be vaccinated.

Well yahoo reported reservations weren't full at the mass vaccinations site in Tokyo and the elderly they interviewed said they either don't want to travel there or want to wait.

Secondly regarding vaccinations, I can only report my personal experience here in Hiroshima prefecture all medical workers I know have been vaccinated, care home workers too.

As I said at the beginning, a lot of time has been wasted but thankfully the situation is improving everyday.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I knew... I KNEW this was going to follow immediately after their big claim that they'll inoculate the nation "at the same time". Yeah, the municipalities will be in charge... same ones that just let 1000 doses rot in Fukuoka because they forgot to keep them temperature controlled; same municipalities that keep doing the same in Kobe, or accidentally giving patients two doses and then not having enough to fill the reservations; and all under the reservation system that collapsed on its first day, and was manipulated by newspapers later. In other words... more lip service from a government that requires so much paperwork and BS that relief money from LAST APRIL still hasn't gotten to many restaurants that were promised them if they closed down for the first SOE.

Having fun?

How come you forgot to add story of saline jab in Nara prefecture?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hopefully, the mass inoculations are the silver bullet Japan has been praying for. The SOEs have achieved next to nothing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In Italy, my country, they had 2000 deaths/million people, UK 1900, USA 1800, France 1600, Germany 1000 and Japan 100 deaths/million. European countries and America, with heavy lockdowns, run the sh*tshow, not Japan. Sure, they are late with the vaccine a strategy is coming together and honestly I'm glad they waited to see if the cure was working before giving an untested drug to all people. We'll get the vaccine. Good or bad news, the aim of many comments here is to dump a lot of dirt on Japan, regardless. I'm honestly tired of the expat community in this country.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

I would be grateful if most people around me are vaccinated, even if I had to be the last one to get vaccinated.

It protects the same way.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Based on ourworldindata.org Japan has administered 11.2M doses

You do realise that is 2.4% of the population barely 1/3 of the elderly,

It isn't even close to other developed countries which most are over 30% and some over 50%.

Even Canada that got a late start and relies exclusively on imported Vaccine has around 50% vaccinated.

Japan is producing Vaccine has Vaccine in stock, and hasn't been able to get it out to the people in any sort of timely manner.

The regular excuse is not enough doctors to give Vaccines but to give a simple example of poor government action Japan and Canada have roughly the same number of doctors per 1000 people but Japan cannot decide on letting anyone else give the vaccine Canada gave paramedics, nurses, pharmacists, etc..

The Japanese government has been "looking in to" giving paramedics, dentists, etc..for how long now, and still no decision!?

This is another say something but do next to nothing.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The year is 2125.

Japan has finally finished vaccinating their population and re-opens their borders to the world. The once thriving economy is in shambles. Foreign investment has dwindled to nothing and most large companies have withdrawn. Most of the world has forgotten why Japan had closed their borders, as the virus has long since been eradicated on the rest of the planet.

But at least they will always have the "2020" Olympics.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

@Ric Magno

Then you should hear what my Japanese family are saying.

Nothing here said by the Gaijin community is even close if I wrote down some of what my children's 90 plus years old grandparents are saying it would be removed for very bad words. My wife is worse in her comments on how badly the government is handling the situation.

Most of my friends are just as agree and frustrated.

As for the deaths, every country you mentioned had high testing rates, autopsies on those over 65 that died from unknown causes.

Japan has a lower testing rate than even the province of Ontario throughout most of this pandemic, those over 65 but test that died from unknown causes or even non influenza pneumonia were never tested or had autopsies just put down as unknown causes pneumonia this number is in the 10s of thousands.

Oh and Italy often know for being one of the most messed up places in bthe EU has vaccination 30% of it's population.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Good or bad news, the aim of many comments here is to dump a lot of dirt on Japan, regardless. I'm honestly tired of the expat community in this country.

Then go to some Japanese sites, Japanese Twitter, etc..

This is and English news site so by that fact most here will be expats.

If you think what is said here is bad you should see what my adult children and my wife show me from comments on Japanese news sites and Japanese Twitter.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

If I were PM, I would implement the following immediately.

1) Executiuve decisions allowed in case a decision is needed

2) Consultation to happen before proposing a need for decision

3) Considerations to be come before proposing the decision based on consultation

4) Only decisions are to be announced unless executives listen to feedback from consultation & consideration Phases

5) if no feedback is processed from #2-4 ,Executive Decision is to be made immediately.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is now trying to test all its people. Japan just seems more and more like a developing country. Why is there no large-scale free testing?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

If the vaccinations start immediately, there is still a chance of getting a lot of people immune before the Olympics start. Regardless of the Olympics, getting the program started right away will save lives.

On the subject of authorities reading comments and getting ideas, I am not against that. No one person has all the answers, and an open mind never hurt anyone.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Tokyo itself has 14 million people, even if the gvrnt started vaccinations from tomorrow (which they wont, its probably gonna take a few months) and did it at max capacity with 10,000 people a day being vaccinated. It would take 1400 days to finish, that's like 4 years...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Can we start the week with some positivity please? Finally this is some good news

at the current rate of vaccinations itll take over 3 yrs to vaccinate 70% of the population,

were in a pandemic yet the rollout is ensuring that the pandemic in Japan will be longer lasting

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Why do you people think the rate of vaccinations will not change, when it's already changed?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

36 million over 65 but not all want it

I keep hearing that but haven't seen it.

The very old are not those on twitter going on about the supposed dangers.

In Japan influenza vaccination is nearly 80% the elderly most of whom don't listen to YouTube conspiracy videos or read twitter.

It is obvious that the main reason they are not able to be vaccinated is the complicated appointment system.

Does anyone think my children's mid 90s grandmother has the slightest idea how to use a smartphone even less the apps?

She can barely use here flip phone.

Both grandparents are ready and willing but it took both my children, both their children and myself working all at the same time to finally get through and get an appointment for the earliest in mid July.

Every resident and staff in the care home my mother in law works are ready and willing but because most are not fully mobile they cannot go to any vaccination centre and despite trying the care home has not been able to get any response from the government in how they can get someone in to vaccinate the residents.

This is like the rumor back home that people didn't want AZ Vaccine, but when he provincial government said anyone no age restriction could get AZ no appointment needed the vaccination centres were full to capacity with people ready and willing.

My local doctor says nearly all his elderly patients are ready and willing to be vaccinated and ask all the time, he says if he had the vaccine he could Vaccinate 500 in the first week no problem.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

And there is some possibly good news on the vaccine front:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/health/coronavirus-immunity-vaccines.html

Immunity to the Coronavirus May Persist for Years, Scientists Find

Immunity to the coronavirus lasts at least a year, possibly a lifetime, improving over time especially after vaccination, according to two new studies. The findings may help put to rest lingering fears that protection against the virus will be short-lived.

Immunity post-vaccine may be for a lifetime and is working well against many of the variants. Most studies should finish soon, so more data will be available.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

kennyG: "How come you forgot to add story of saline jab in Nara prefecture?"

There's just too much incompetence to keep up.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In our Hyogo city, Tatsuno all people over 65 received their vaccination applications last month. They don't need to use a smartphone. They can call the centres giving them or even just visit to book a vaccination. Many have already been vaccinated.

Now lets see.... Tatsuno total population 77,900 let's say of that 40% elderly just to be safe that 31,160.

Now let's look at Tokyo 34 million just a quick look at a few wards,

Adachi 692,707

Taito 186,276

Arakawa 208,763

Setagaya 939,099

There are another 19 wards

Now what was the new mass vaccination centre daily capacity again? Oh right 10,000.

Anyone see a difference?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

No age requirements? Age 0 ok?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

We have a very large circle of friends and associates across the country but don't know a single person infected from the covid.

Are you sure?

Remember this is Japan and we know very well what will happen if friends, neighbours, co-workers, etc...will do or could do if someone has covid.

I don't have a great big circle of friends my children have a good amount of friends and we know at least 4 people as well as some in my wife's company, daughter's company and my son's work location ( he teleworks).

This is Japan your neighbour could have covid and wouldn't tell you to avoid the stigma especially in small towns.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Today on "kwik maffs"...

Japanese government: 10,000 per day is enough

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Antiquesaving,

Now what was the new mass vaccination centre daily capacity again? Oh right 10,000.

How many times do you need to hear that clinics and medical facilities, as well as numerous other planned or already operating locations, are providing vaccinations?

That's in addition to efforts like this, which started today – https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2021/0521_01.html

You seem to have Japanese people around you to help, but I'll do a search for you and try and find a list of vaccination sites in your ward. Will that help?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

There are legitimate complaints to be made, but many here seem to be complaining about things they don’t know anything about.

Someone above complaining “ we don’t know what the price is going to be“-It’s FREE

Complaining about only 10,000 people capacity at the mass vaccination sites-You totally don’t seem to understand that there are numerous other places to get the vaccine depending on where you live. I live in Nakano ward in Tokyo, just here, we have 162 clinics and centers for you to choose from.

How are we going to get the vaccine?-The local governments will send your ID number then you make a reservation. Again speaking for Nakano, they will be sent out by June 10. Vaccines for those under 65 years old will start June 28. 65 and older and has already started

Of course every local area is different. Make sure you don’t just dump the stuff in your post box. Information will all be coming through the mail.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

You seem to have Japanese people around you to help, but I'll do a search for you and try and find a list of vaccination sites in your ward. Will that help?

You seem not to read previous comments.

I was the one helping my Japanese family's elderly trying to get them appointments.

And if you can read Japanese I suggest you go look at how many are complaining they cannot get through on the phone or internet for themselves or their elderly relatives.

as well as numerous other planned or already operating locations,

We are over a year into this pandemic and they are still "Planning" much of this.

Seriously they are still "looking at" giving others like dentists and paramedics the go ahead to help vaccinate.

In other countries this was on place even before the Vaccines were approved.

Come on, I love Japan but I am not an idiot, that I will turn a blind eye to the total incompetence of the government on this.

How many fiascos are we to ignore?

Abenomask, closures without proper help for businesses and workers, poor testing availability, hospitals unprepared and overwhelmed, extremely slow Vaccine rollout, crashing online systems, making up stuff on the fly.

There is a limit to incompetence and the government this time has gone way over that limit.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Again speaking for Nakano, they will be sent out by June 10. Vaccines for those under 65 years old will start June 28. 65 and older and has already started

Of course every local area is different. Make sure you don’t just dump the stuff in your post box. 

Post box wow are we 2021 or 1921.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Why do you people think the rate of vaccinations will not change, when it's already changed?

if it change, it will decrease not increase. The vaccination centers are ONLY open for 3 months for the Olympics, number of vaccinations will crash after they close and there’s no new plans to open new ones. Japanese vaccination rate is simply unsustainable in the long term, even in the near term it will fall to around 300k average, and then to 100-200k average after the vaccination centers close. You have to be delusional to think Japan politicians have either the skill or the motivation to increase vaccinations this year, especially once the Olympics are over they would have nothing to gain. Don’t say elections because current politicians have guaranteed landslide win, and the only possible way the LDP can lose is if politicians themselves switch parties.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Now let's look at Tokyo 34 million just a quick look at a few wards,

Since when Tokyo population ballooned that many?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Whatever.....send my voucher now....at least I could use a small fraction of my monthly health insurance payment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Since when Tokyo population ballooned that many?

Look it up!

Tokyo is entirely administered by a single entity Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Which is actually 37 million.

23 wards are part of the Tokyo metropolitan government as there is no governing body just for the 23 wards.

If you understood the government system in Tokyo you would have understand that.

Look up Subprefectures of Japan and how they function.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@zichi

With that population is it a city or a countryside town?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Tokyo is entirely administered by a single entity Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Which is actually 37 million.

23 wards are part of the Tokyo metropolitan government as there is no governing body just for the 23 wards.

If you understood the government system in Tokyo you would have understand that.

Look up Subprefectures of Japan and how they function.

Sorry I didn't know entire people and their process to receive vaccines in the area defined as Tokyo metropolitan great area are being administered solely by Tokyo metropolitan government. I wonder what those prefectural governments in each adjacent prefecture and each governors are needed for then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@kennyG

4 Subprefectures do not function like the other prefectures nor are they administered in the same way.

There is no such thing as the city of Tokyo.

The incorrect belief that the 23 wards are a city is just that incorrect.

And the 23 wards are basically individual cities administered by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

The vaccination centre is run by the Tokyo metropolitan government not the wards,

To give an example of the difference, when Nagano had the winter Olympics it was the Nagano city not the prefecture running the show.

The Tokyo Olympics are being run by Koike the prefecture governor.

It is a strange beast Tokyo and even the Japanese have a problem understanding how it actually works.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tokyo is entirely administered by a single entity Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Which is actually 37 million.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Area (Tokyo-to) is about 13 million.

The Greater Tokyo Area is about 30-40 million, but is not so clearly defined. It generally includes Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The Tokyo Metropolitan Area (Tokyo-to) is about 13 million.

Just shy of 14 million as of last year. But yeah, not the 37 million claimed above.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichi

Correct now look up the logistics Problems it has over the second largest territory in the world with isolated community without any road access.

Let's be honest, the Japanese government has done a poor job and messed up big time.

Why is that so hard to accept?

The Japanese people have not been properly served by the government the simple fact at the approval rate of the government makes it clear that most Japanese are not happy with how the government has handled things.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Thanks but no thanks, you guys go ahead.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I'm guessing that those of us with family in Japan whom we're hoping to visit will have to wait until at least 2023 before we're again allowed to clear Japanese customs with our children who need to visit their grandparents in Japan.

I'm out of jokes to respond to these stories with. I've never seen a bigger bunch of totality incompetent LOSERS than the people in charge of Japan. That poor country is in a death spiral around the toilet.

Nobody knows what to do in Japan without being told. Unfortunately, nobody competent from oversees appears to be telling them what to do here when they need it most. I know they like to cover it up out of pride when they get help, but boy do they need it now.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

nonu6976Today  07:16 am JST

So if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you have to go to your doctor, get a certificate that says you have a medical condition, then submit that to your ward office, who will then send you a vaccination voucher sometime in the future. Wow - that sounds really efficient.

Of course the logical thing to do, is to just go to your doctor, who probably already knows your medical history, and you can get the vaccine shot right then and there.

Logic? That kind of talk is not acceptable!

If anything there must be an additional meeting to gain consensus on who the vouchers should be sent to first. And it must be stamped by hanko.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

EisenachToday  08:52 am JST

"Of course the logical thing to do, is to just go to your doctor, who probably already knows your medical history, and you can get the vaccine shot right then and there."

and if your doctor does not have the freeze to store the jab?

The rest of the world is doing it, why can't we?

They're now giving them to anyone over 30 in the UK at shopping malls.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Antique

4 Subprefectures do not function like the other prefectures nor are they administered in the same way.

Sorry to be repetitive. I just don't understand how those 4 prefectures (what you call subprefectures) are different from all other prefectures in Nippon in terms of their autonomy like the one for vaccination planning.

What are those governors doing everyday then?

There is no such thing as the city of Tokyo.

Yes I think I know it.

The incorrect belief that the 23 wards are a city is just that incorrect.

I agree

And the 23 wards are basically individual cities administered by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

Yes. generally speaking, typical one is public health insurance, they are all side by side despite each wards have different financial conditions. And yet 23 wards have autonomy to decide their own measure in not a few fields.

Albaleo & Stranger

Thanks for clarification.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sorry. don't take it offensive. but I wonder.... if 35~38 people’s lives are being administered solely by Tokyo metropolitan government, why not just abolish all those prefectures and fire governors and always-sleeping members of city/23wards/4 prefecture congress to save big chunk of our tax. Ridiculous isn't it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does Japan have a meaningful official petition system like the one South Korea has?

Rather than letting useless lawmakers check SNS, day in day out, it would be much better if someone build it

whereby not only the Japanese but also everyone all legally-living lives in Japan could let inept rulers hear efficiently how come they are so inept.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"But the government is looking to speed up the country's vaccine rollout, which has lagged behind other countries"

Is there a stronger word than 'lagged'?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

No offense to all the folks on this site who think COVID "vaccines" are a great idea, but why?

They've not undergone lengthy safety tests in humans or animals.

The mortality rate is extremely low.

People in other countries are experiencing adverse reactions in large numbers.

The disregard for these adverse reactions by officials is unpardonable. Did you know that the vaccines developed and administered for the Swine Flu were abruptly stopped when less than 100 people had died? And here we are with nearly 5,000 dead in the U.S. (probably much higher actually), yet we are just charging forward??

Are Japanese people aware of this?

I doubt it.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Wait, Did you know that Denmark has banned the J&J vaccine for safety reasons?

Do you know what I think of Denmark here? Kneejerks. Since J&J has been put put in the mix, the number of registered cases with negative side effects are a drop in the ocean compared to the number cases with no negative side effects. Same thing with Astrazeneca.

And as far as Denmark is concerned, AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines have been offered to people who are volunteering for them since May 20. In my home province in Canada, Astrazeneca vaccines are pretty popular despite the fearmongering about blood clots. Anti-vaxxers need to shut their mouths for good measure this time after the amount of damage they have made for over 20 years.

That being said, I'm waiting to see the effects of opening the vaccine rollout to people under 65 in Japan. It's already doing wonders in Western countries that have been doing the same for weeks, and we're moving ever closer to full normality as a result.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Going by the schedule until now I don't believe I will get the shot this year, maybe the next... Time to buy a few more boxes of masks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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