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Japan testing for coronavirus at fraction of capacity

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By Rocky Swift and Linda Sieg

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Japan head in sand... I would be more proactive considering the age population of Japan.

46 ( +53 / -7 )

Abe is just trying to preserve a fading image

35 ( +40 / -5 )

Japan is one of the only countries with such a large outbreak that has not seen a spike in numbers of positive tests. All due to the fact that people CAN NOT get tested, even when they have been exposed to the virus, or are showing symptoms as well.

I have no doubt there are probably thousands more WITH the virus, just not symptomatic, and THEY are unwittingly spreading the virus around.

Abe SHOULD be canned for this! I'll bet testing goes crazy when the Olympics get postponed!

51 ( +58 / -7 )

It doesn’t seem like large numbers of locals here are getting very sick or dying (like all over the world), so I am hoping for the best, while being prepared (got a weeks worth of essentials) and being as careful as possible.

Since most places that got the virus initially, have steadily seen their own epidemics, does Japan’s low death rate mean its been somewhat contained, or are we not seeing the real damage and effect, or has it not yet run its course?

0 ( +12 / -12 )

This is the reason people need to go to the hospital multiple times until they get tested, spreading the virus way more than they should. I understand they rule out influenza first, but seems illogical to me to not find a reason for the fever and just send them home.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

We've been at this for almost 2 months now. The outbreak window has passed.

No. Why do you keep downplaying this virus?

41 ( +50 / -9 )

reported by public broadcaster NHK on Wednesday, that 290 coronavirus tests requested by doctors had been refused by health centers.

This is requested by medical profesionals not just by a paranoid patient. That's why the number positive cases in Japan remain low.

25 ( +27 / -2 )

The viroligist Masahiro Kami said on the news the number of infections is likely to be 30 times higher, so around 27000. I think that is more realistic. Nevertheless my husband continues going to nomikai, is planning BBC for his company in April rolleyes . That carelessness will hit Japan like a boomerang somewhen.

33 ( +34 / -1 )

Japan has not closed schools. It had requested they close for 2 weeks. That two weeks has passed and many have reopened. Business as usual.

The editor could have updated the numbers. Almost 220,000 now. And growing exponentially.

And testing here is joke. The Japanese are planning to sacrifice people just to save the Olympics. This man should be put on trial as a war criminal once this is over.

"Just because you have capacity, it doesn't mean that we need to use that capacity fully," health ministry official Yasuyuki Sahara told a news briefing on Tuesday. "It isn't necessary to carry out tests on these people who are just simply worried."

Just unbelievable.

37 ( +41 / -4 )

(points to head) “Can’t have Coronavirus if you can’t get tested for it”.

40 ( +41 / -1 )

I knew the Japanese government was trying to keep the numbers low, just to keep the Olympics as planned.

25 ( +29 / -4 )

runner3, only stupid govt would keep the number high.

-33 ( +2 / -35 )

@Burning Bush.

Before, you were just saying it was the flu, and that it was no problem here and world wide.

The virus is not spreading in Japan, either because of it being a weak strain here, the humidity, general cleanliness or other factors

Have you seen the figures mate? According to the limited numbers of tests being carried out, it's spreading, alright. From the official figures, basically ALL prefectures have it now. Can post a link to show how it's not spreading in Japan? Do you mean, it's spreading slowly? Well, that would be due to the tiny numbers being tested, man. Smoke and mirrors, isn't it?

Like I said before, looking forward to seeing you at the Olympics in July. I'll even give you a piece of my bread.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

I have had a persistent dry cough and fever for two and a half weeks, but still don’t meet criteria for testing. Yesterday, the doctor’s clinic confirmed I had bronchitis with a suspected viral cause. After that, the test center said after a five day course of antibiotics, if symptoms remain, then I’ll finally be allowed a test.

32 ( +33 / -1 )

kiwi07, is it in Japan ?

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Akie

Are you talking about Italy? Korea? Which government?

So do you admire the Japanese government's measures so far?

11 ( +13 / -2 )

runner3, only stupid govt would keep the number high.

In Japan published incorrect data for various reason already done by official way before this virus outbreak.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

sakurasuki, if you have real numbers, then we should look back to make sure that we understand the reasons.

-20 ( +2 / -22 )

@kiwi07

Antibiotics don’t treat viral infections-demand a test.

30 ( +30 / -0 )

@kiwi07

They gave you antiBIOTICS for a VIRUS? Why?

25 ( +25 / -0 )

The ministry's latest cluster map shows 13 such groupings

But, there were oriignally 15 the other day. 2 removed due to complaints from those areas.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

To be honest. Testing won't really change anything. Increasing the amount of people being tested and knowing the number of infected is much higher won't affect anything. The bigger issue for me is the lack of care businesses and government has for their people. They are fighting to maintain the entire business as usual mantra. Right now, the only proven method they have learned that works from China and South Korea is the social distancing method. So many countries are doing temporary shutdowns of non essential places and making people stay home while only going out when its absolutely necessary. The US and Europe has started doing the same thing. Japan wants to keep its head in the sand.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Here's a useful info site showing daily updates.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Report in Japan

toyokeizai.net/sp/visual/tko/covid19/en.html

Japan has stayed in good shape regarding its death toll, the number of critically ill and recovery/discharge. Nobody can deny those indicators.

I suggest beefing up primary care services where people can quickly access for consultation (Such reform is actually underway with a new legislation). Family doctors are not yet common to many Japanese. Screening at the entry level can avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Given the high density of population, it is counter intuitive to have such low numbers, and given that fact that unlike other undeveloped nations where no tests can be done, Japan has sufficient capability to perform the test.

So far so confusing, unless..

10 ( +14 / -4 )

The virus is not spreading in Japan, either because of it being a weak strain here, the humidity, general cleanliness or other factors.

You have been doing nothing but talk about this being no different from a cold since day 1, nobody is listening to you on this anymore.

The article itself tells us tests aren’t being run and the low numbers are a reflection of that, not any of the stuff you just made up.

Get your head out of the sand, even Trump has woken up to the reality of this by now.

22 ( +25 / -3 )

I have no doubt there are probably thousands more WITH the virus, just not symptomatic, and THEY are unwittingly spreading the virus around.

> Abe SHOULD be canned for this! I'll bet testing goes crazy when the Olympics get postponed!

EXACTLY!! Hit the nail on the head!

The mods are perfectly fine with rightist spreading false information on JT. They are also against anyone fact-checking the rightists, which is why so many posts that do so get zapped.

very true.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

My son is a junior high school student. Yesterday his teacher called and informed me that from 25th he starts school. So this past almost 3 weeks was his spring vacation. I don’t know how safe it is ....

14 ( +14 / -0 )

@Akie

If they tested more we would have more data. A policy of not encouraging testing is simply dangerous. We need more transparency.

When you have people like Kato, the head of the Ministry of Health saying he hasn't heard about drive through testing before, and might consider it, if it's appropriate for Japan, it makes my blood boil. He should have been onto it months ago. I wonder who is briefing him.

The death rate still low since people dying would be classified as having dying from something else. Post-mortems are only performed on 3% of patients in Japan.

I personally know a lot of people here who have been sick and been turned away. As one poster mentioned above they were also given antibiotics (that happens a lot).

28 ( +31 / -3 )

Tora, if what you said is true, then there is a reason to ask question. There are always more explanations than solutions.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Increasing test is the only way to calm down concerns, no matter what.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Less testing, less positives =

less panic,

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Less testing, less positives =

less panic,

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Reliability of testing should also be taken into account. A South Korean teen died of pneumonia although he had tested negative for 8 times.

South Korea teen dies after testing negative for COVID-19

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/03/18/South-Korea-teen-dies-after-testing-negative-for-COVID-19/7711584456914/

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

I think Japan's total number of deaths have not particularly increased since the coronavirus outbreaks.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

Antibiotics don’t treat viral infections-demand a test.

They gave you antiBIOTICS for a VIRUS? Why?

Yes, in Japan. Yes, I know antibiotics don’t treat viral infections. We had already tried the Covid healthline advice center, but they refused testing directly as I haven’t been overseas recently. They recommended a doctor’s clinic to visit instead. But, that doctor’s clinic had to rule out bacterial and allergy causes before the testing clinic would accept his referral without any issues. So, first, I have to do a combined five day antibiotic + allergy medicine course + codeine syrup for the cough. After that, if symptoms persist, he said the testing center would accept his referral without issue.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

It may be that the Japanese propensity for mask-wearing actually has slowed the virus' progress to some extent. However, the clock is ticking, and the number of detected cases is consistently increasing. Do NOT think this is just going to go away. Act NOW!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Do NOT think this is just going to go away. Act NOW!

Question is, do what exactly?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Japan do not need more testing because there are very few people who are infected and shows symptoms.

-14 ( +5 / -19 )

The site https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ shows cases per million population. Interestingly, the highest densities of cases are in San Marino, the Vatican and the Faeros, whereas China is ranked 38th!!

Just shows that have to be careful how you use statistics.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It is remarkable that Japan's testing numbers have increased, nearly tripled (some may still not be satisfied, though...) while the confirmed case numbers have NOT risen proportionally. The pattern is an outlier, somewhat distinguished from that of many other countries where more testing has proportionally led to more positive cases.

One possible reason relates to testing reliability. Another plausible interpretation is that herd immunity has already been taking hold among Japanese population. If this is the case, the overall patient numbers will go on to level off and decline thanks to more recovery/discharged cases. Despite this, a mini-scale spike is still possible, so Japan should continue to stay alert awhile

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The health ministry's statement however contrasts with a study by the Japan Medical Association, reported by public broadcaster NHK on Wednesday, that 290 coronavirus tests requested by doctors had been refused by health centers.

In America some say that if there were a national health care system such a thing could not happen. Well, Japan has a national health care system. Care is denied due to rationing which is a feature of this type of health care delivery system.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

According to Our World in Data org (Our World in Data is a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Oxford, who are the scientific editors of the website content; and the non-profit organization Global Change Data Lab):

Japan is testing at a rate of 130 tests per million people.

South Korea is at 5,500 tests per million

Italy is at 2,500 tests per million

The UK is at 750 tests per million

Why is Japan testing so few people?

According to Our World In Data, testing allows infected people to know that they are infected. This can help them receive the care they need; and it can help them take measures to reduce the probability of infecting others. People who don’t know they are infected might not stay at home and thereby risk infecting others. Testing is also crucial for an appropriate response to the pandemic. It allows us to understand the spread of the disease and to take evidence-based measures to slow down the spread of the disease.

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-testing

Again, why is Japan testing so few people?

18 ( +21 / -3 )

@ah so

How about the below, for a start:

Have enough provisions for a few weeks, or even longer. Rationing will come. Get luxuries so you can enjoy some chocolate, etc with your basic rations.

Take cash out of the bank now. This one hasn't been covered. No point keeping it in the bank anyway since interest rates so low.

Have a good medical kit, and torches (not the Olympic one), candles, matches etc.

You'll be inside for sometime. You'll need a good supply of books to read. Or, prepare some other hobbies to do.

Sure there are others! Lot's to bro.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

My daughter’s a sophomore. Her university in Yokohama will not begin the new school year until April 30th.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

When this is all over and behind us, what will he powers that be have learnt? Will they be ready for the next for sure outbreak? This is the real test. We all make mistakes the first time around, how about the next? If Fukushima is any indication, we’ll again see poor leadership and / or preparation.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Not bad at all.

Indeed, people live a long time in Japan despite the doctors! It's quite amazing.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The important point of view is how many people have died of coronavirus everyday from the first outbreak. Japan's mortality rate is lower in comparison with other countries. Japan's corona spread seems barely under control. As for me. more deaths everyday seem state is out of control, less deaths seem state is under good control. If government accepts millions of people for CPR test, hospitals are going to be out of control and in big panic just like Italy or China,,,,, So doctors must select serious symptom patients (for CPR test) out of no-symptom outpatients to save hospitals from big panic. No-symptom and mild symptom people better stay home, no need of CPR test.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

For comparison the place with the highest per capita testing rate in North America is the province of Alberta that has conducted 15,000 tests or 1/290 residents.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Zichi and others.

You should read the latest info before posting. The situation is evolving extremely quickly.

In the US the have just passed a bill that will provide every person who is affected by the virus with total free care (from NYT)

The Senate approved a relief package Wednesday to provide sick leave, unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing, and food and medical aid to people affected by the pandemic, sending it to President Trump, who is expected to sign it.

An outline of the new package, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, calls for a total of $1 trillion in spending, which would also include $50 billion for secured loans for the airline industry, and another $150 billion for secured loans or loan guarantees for other parts of the economy.

They also invoking the Defence Production Act that was last used during the Korean War which gives them power to compel industry to manufacture vital equipment to take on the virus.

Finally, regarding testing, the US is ramping it up after an admiditly slow start.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

"Seek not, and ye shall not find."

Japan is once more being led down the garden path by "Mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru", the three monkeys at the head of the troupe. Whole swaths of the country are "Corona-free", but I'm not convinced or reassured.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

All suspect cases need to be tested.

yes, you are correct suspect cases not everyone.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

They gave you antiBIOTICS for a VIRUS? Why?

Antibiotics are not to cure the virus.

They're likely given to counter symptoms from the virus, which can affect a number of weakened areas a person may have thru bacteria perhaps already present, or more susceptible to after getting sick.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Total Covid 19 cases by country as of March 19, From John Hopkins Dashboard.

1.     81,102 China

2.     35,713 Italy

3.     17,361 Iran

4.     13,910 Spain

5.     12,327 Germany

6.     9,052 France

7.     8,413 Korea, South

8.     7,769 US

9.     3,028 Switzerland

10.  2,642 United Kingdom

11.  2,056 Netherlands

12.  1,646 Austria

13.  1,550 Norway

14.  1,486 Belgium

15.  1,279 Sweden

16.  1,115 Denmark

17.  889 Japan

18.  790 Malaysia

Japan will soon be out of the top 20. Malaysia, Canada, Australia are rapidly moving up the table.

Those are the facts. Everything else is nonsense.

-23 ( +4 / -27 )

Lets call this what it truly is:

Criminal Negligence by the J- Govt resulting in UNNECESSARY deaths!!!!

And one fool is trying to blame doctors for doing what the GOVT said to do, that is unless a patient shows FULL BLOWN symptoms...……...do not test, discourage from going to doctor etc

The ministry says it has made it easier for doctors to order the PCR tests, so the figures for the number of tests carried out reflects the discretion of physicians.

The J-govt is playing an evil, deadly game, FOR SHAME!!!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

 "It isn't necessary to carry out tests on these people who are just simply worried."

Unacceptable condescendence from a government member towards people that are sick, regardless they have Covid-19 or not.

Let's see if he'll change his opinion once he starts to show some symptoms. "Oh, you have sustained fever and feel like sh**? You're just worried, you don't need to be tested!"

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Again, why is Japan testing so few people?

Because most people are no-symptom or mid symptom or just worry a lot about it or got just a cold. So doctors now will select serious symptom patients out of so many outpatients, these serious symptom patients will take CPR test, if test is positive, they are hospitalized/quarantined. Japan will not let all kinds of people take CPR test to prevent hospitals from being out of control and big panic. Even if people knew they are infected, but they not always stay home, they go shopping sometimes. They may make another cluster there.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Anyone believing Japan is okay because of the low official numbers is seriously deluding themselves. Quoting them as proof all is okay is ridiculous. Not testing and having official low numbers does not stop the virus spreading. It just makes the inevitable explosion even worse.

Anyone who thinks Japan is over the worst or has some special immunity and can avoid what is happening everywhere in the world is just wrong. Japan and its people relaxing its limited measures against the virus, as seems to be going on now, will only make the inevitable explosion worse too. And it will not be long now at all till this delusion breaks. .

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Before, you were just saying it was the flu, and that it was no problem here and world wide.

You have to consider the thought processes of the right.

If there is a pandemic that threatens lives, the most vulnerable will be the poor. The free market needs to make huge profits to work. They can't get huge profits from the poor. The free market therefore cannot protect the poor. The virus will spread from the poor to the wealthy because germs don't recognise gated communities or social niceties. The free market therefore cannot prevent pandemics. Only massive positive intervention by the state can prevent pandemics, through providing free or subsidised healthcare, housing and food. This proves that the state does have the power to prevent human suffering, and that the free market is the cause of much of that suffering.

If there was a pandemic, it would prove that capitalism is evil. Therefore, there is no pandemic, no matter what you might be seeing.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I agree with the policy that is being adopted here in Japan. The reference does not need to be necessarily Europe, because the situation is not necessarily the same. Societies are different, places and ways people relates to each other too are different. Here in Tokyo and in many parts of Japan people wear masks almost as standards and doing it is seen as a act of regard toward others, in Europe wearing a mask means being sick and normal people usually does not do it. And when people are told to refrain form certain things, usually most of them follow the indications, while in Europe the trend is the opposite. Indiscriminate test doe snot guarantee from contracting the virus... you need to do it several times in the course of two three weeks. But I think there should be more testing for suspect cases. All must be prompted by doctors, not single individuals.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

South Korea is testing at a rate of 5,500 tests per million people

Italy is at 2,500 tests per million

The UK is at 750 tests per million

Japan is testing at a rate of 130 tests per million

Low testing = low confirmed case rate

Those are the facts. Everything else is nonsense.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Bruce Chatwin said "Low testing = low confirmed case rate".

True. It means low infected population.

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

Japan’s health ministry has been focusing on clusters of cases, with the biggest around the megacities of Osaka and Tokyo, and in the prefectures of Hyogo, Hokkaido and Aichi.

The ministry’s latest cluster map shows 13 such groupings across the country.

With the rate of testing low, unseen clusters may be “rapidly increasing where containment is failing”, said Kenji Shibuya, director of the Institute for Population Health at King’s College London.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Vietnam has even lower confirmed cases than Japan, Mongolia has even less cases than Vietnam. Clearly, possibility does exist that Japan has low infection.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

@BruceChatwin

testing allows infected people to know that they are infected. This can help them receive the care they need; and it can help them take measures to reduce the probability of infecting others.

Reality is going otherwise, away from your logic: In terms of death toll, number of critical patients and recovery, Japan is better than other countries noted above. Even successful "testing master" South Korea has suffered more deaths and bigger daily spikes than Japan. One fifth of Korean victims are young, and medical staff are also likely infected. How do you interpret this phenomenon or inconvenient truth?

Although I don't personally oppose more testing, testing itself cannot save lives.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Anyone believing Japan is okay because of the low official numbers is seriously deluding themselves. Quoting them as proof all is okay is ridiculous. Not testing and having official low numbers does not stop the virus spreading. It just makes the inevitable explosion even worse.

Anyone who thinks Japan is over the worst or has some special immunity and can avoid what is happening everywhere in the world is just wrong. Japan and its people relaxing its limited measures against the virus, as seems to be going on now, will only make the inevitable explosion worse too. And it will not be long now at all till this delusion breaks. .

Nobody thinks Japan has immunity. Some of us live in Japan and see what is actually going on, instead of basing opinions on other countries where there have been mass infections.

Also, experts have already said that most of us will get the virus eventually, it is just a matter of preventing it from exploding at once, which Japan has already been doing. Japan is also preparing by increasing testing capacity and passing new laws to declare a state of emergency.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Glad to hear that you do not oppose testing.

Amesh A. Adalja, MD, Professor and Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security: “Testing capacity has us largely flying blind, not knowing where cases are and hampering response efforts.”

Testing will help us understand the COVID-19 virus and possibly stop its spread thereby saving lives.

It appears that 21 % of the people testing positive for COVID-19 virus in Japan are between the ages of 0 and 39, and 11% are between the ages of 0 and 29.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A COUNTRY WITH DATA AND INTELLIGENCE ? !! PERFECT NON STRESS ZONE !!

°

Sorry it will feel like a war zone !

°

In France, this is a constant nightmare. The government made mistakes understanding the english translation about conora and believe this was an airborn virus and not a contact virus. They understand nothing about virus.

First, they were sure it wasn't a SRAS because everywhere it was written SARS. The letters are in SARS in french document. They made a translation mistakes in the Parisian government. They just admit, it is now "SRAS" to media. This is not even the last french government bullet. But let's take them from the beginning.

We learn the health ministry didn't want to obey the health security mesure for doctors and hospital patients (they wanted to go in holidays) and they tell everyone this is less than a flu. Nobody protect themselves in hospital and medicare places. This was during china death toll number increasing. I do scandal (and i tend to have friends well placed who listen an intelligent woman) and shame bashing.

Then it was still not that dangerous, but they were only testing to corona, people that had no other illness symptoms. So Corona people end up in flu death toll number. I had to give the right stat method to have a partially correct evaluation and here the right question about them.

Then i gave my newspaper's friend some basic analysis based and the figure we already had and comparing them to flu to make prospective (i had a bad feeling after so many mistakes). I was right to worry. It lead to ask question inside the hospital service and not to directors. The truth is terrible. So now, like me, the doctors panick and health ministry admit they lied because they couldn't agree during a vote on the analysis. They gave only on prospective letting them keep power, and not all possibles.

Then we discover the french state president didn't have the number we had from heath ministry who hide the true risk from the beginning to keep the power over the crisis they don't deal with and create barrage to deal with on a national scale. This is inside political power game.

But then, in retaliation, to control the virus, they decide to let the virus spread in environment because London and Germany said it will die. So there, i do scandal. I press. I find the truth : they did decided to let fragile people die without care and information (20 % of french population enter the population at risk, and for them this is not just a 2% letal risk). Apparently only my daughter, dad, mom, sister, niece, grandma (grandpas already dead).. will possibly die. We all have a weakness to this kind of illness. So i press a case on genocide very well founded, and so public, in 12 hours the government start to move and Germany to lie about fighting the virus.

the government vote on isolation because the end of week numbers are terrible.

they let election day pass but for nothing because the second turn won't be able to be done before month.

Now, Doctor need mask. They ask. The government don't know what to do. So they lied to the country about the mask utility and tell fragile people who need them (soon like italy, over 60 years old, you will not be reanimate - left to die) to give their mask (only protection to live) to doctors so they can protect themselves (when doing tissu cleaning one is easy). Italia is admiting over 500 dead people a day.

So, good citizen and scientist, I don't understand the government. It is easy to tell people how make them with a few tissus and protect the strategic stock. It is not important for it to be perfect to protect yourself when you are not in red letal virus zone (put gloves too and protect your hairs). The goal is to alert and install something between hand and mouth, and make sure expectoration from cough and sneazing don't spread on a few meters and objects (commerce). This is only rational collective thinking. But, this is more than a month that i fight everywhere for the government and media to explain how to do them properly (we have textile country tradition, we have everything on hand to do them) because we will not have enough in paper. We need to teach people how to clean them and their hand properly. They will do mistakes, and this is when the virus is not on wild spree that they need to do them to not make them a later dire time. It is exhausting because my dumb family listen more media than me at this level of stupidity. So i try to understand why my country insist on killing his people.

So America tell them like me (to test the theory) : this is not only old and ill people who die and will die. Response : Private medicare need now mask too. But still, they don't tell fragile people to protect themselves nationwide with a 20% people at risk of lethal end.

They decide to isolation after much pressing from everyone, including CAC40 market who fall to no end because the government is stupid and kill his people. They still insist mask is not needed if you are not illed with corona. The economy minister do well but end up with the alimentation stock dealing instead of the usual agriculture ministry with industry ministry (thieves are starting). I continue pressing to press.

Paris's citizens understood it was time to panic. They left in mass toward countryside where there is no urgency hospital ready for this scales in public mass transport. There is corona everywhere now, and no doctors in those zone or enough materials. Government didn't restrain high speed train travel before declaring war to the virus.

But i have end up having my answer : the true and sincere one (the one they will give to not loose face because they lack medical skills).

So for memory, they advice to the general population to not to put mask on because "this is not useful" and even "this is dangerous for your health to put a mask during a virus contamination". And then they spoke about air virus. Then at a later time, panicking they tell "this is not air virus, this is important to know" (on the tone, i can't remember why). So i translate for you.

Yes, you must laugh at France in your newspapers please. They use from the beginning the air virus guideline procedure (my guess coming from america and still in english) instead of the terrestrial contact limited one. The air one is the one saying "mask are not useful because you need hermetic professional clothes".

Please laugh. For me, this is nervous. Countries followed our advices. There are 2500 deads people in italia because France made mistakes during this crisis, more than a hundred in France and the virus is free.

I don't know about asia. May be they lie like Germany and will put the dead in the flu death toll.

But in France, this is mistakes after mistakes after mistakes. Italy do what France can't do openly. We are at 500 deads by day in Italy.

Macron is insane, his friends too, our first minister would love to be efficient but the health ministry still lies about his mistakes instead of reparing them. They just want the right to let people die without having to reanimate them.

I have seen so many incompetent people that i can't believe they didn't killfrench political opposition. They are all irrational and acting like kid when people are dying, and we will have to let people die when at other moment they would have lived because we lack ressources. And we lack ressources because there are too many ill people because they did nothing to protect themselves.

This is surrealist.

Sorry for the negative sharing, but i needed to load it out outside french media censure to hide LREM is an incompetent and mafia thieves political party.

°

NadAge

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I promise, this is all true. They lie instead of creating simple ample industrial solution. .. they do mistake even a kid wouldn't do. They laugh between them about politican game while people are dying alone and can't be note into the corona death number or illed number.

At this space, we could be in worse state than Italia, we wouldn't know.

°

NadAge.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@ Tokyo-M

After weeks and weeks of this, we've had 29 deaths in Japan so far from this virus.

-- After weeks and weeks of this, we've had 29 deaths in Japan officially attributed to this virus.

There. I fixed it for you.

In 2014, a professor at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine wrote:

"Autopsies in Japan are performed on only 1.6% of all deaths, the lowest rate among developed countries. Cause of death is almost always determined by simple visual inspection, as it was 100 years ago."

In a 2011 Japan Today Kuchikomi article:

"It’s an astonishing fact, in these murky times, that only 11% of the corpses Japanese police deal with are autopsied. This can’t possibly be adequate. A glance at autopsy rates elsewhere confirms this suspicion. Among developed countries, 50% is about average. In Sweden, it’s nearly 90%."

6 ( +10 / -4 )

As long as Japan isn't faking the death and serious-case statistics, I'm not too worried about the low number of tests being conducted.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I have been wondering if Japan was able to avoid the 'tsunami' or whether this is the calm before the storm? Additionally, I'm also wondering if the lack of tests done is politically motivated in that Abe et al., still intends to host the Olympics and don't want to show huge Coronavirus numbers??

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Bruce Chatwin

South Korea is testing at a rate of 5,500 tests per million people

Italy is at 2,500 tests per million

The UK is at 750 tests per million

Japan is testing at a rate of 130 tests per million

Low testing = low confirmed case rate

Those are the facts. Everything else is nonsense.

I do not think so.

What is most important is not testing count but saving lives of the people. There may be direct relationship between the two if we had a cure. But we don't. Without any cure available, whether you are positive or not, you will be asked to do the same thing: avoid dangerous contacts. Large number of the people practicing it is essential and more important than jacking up testing numbers.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

They are deliberately trying to keep the true numbers under wraps to save their precious Olympics.

Well listen Shinzo and crew, the more you dig your heels in like so many children with their fingers in their ears singing at the top of their lungs, the more precious 'face' you'll have to lose this summer when the Olympics are inevitably called off.

But good luck with that. Maybe you can still have the Olympics, but only with Japanese athletes participating. Then you can parade around beating your chests about how Japan won the most gold medals and has the world's best athletes.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@noriahojanen

Japan has stayed in good shape regarding its death toll, the number of critically ill and recovery/discharge. Nobody can deny those indicators.

That's the funny thing about how exponential growth works. The numbers are small, until suddenly they are not. Granted, the curve in Japan currently looks very different to most countries, but that is no cause for complacency. If we want to keep things that way, social distancing, good hand hygiene and cough etiquette are essential. The social distancing is currently being more or less ignored by a large proportion of the population.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

We shouldn’t be surprised by the level of hypocricy,censorship's and stubborness of this government fully controlled by over reactionary senior old boys willing to display their “Samurai” power to the mass and save face in front of the world.

Countries like Italy deserve praise for being honest at first to itself and to the world community unlike these crones in Tokyo.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

noriahojanen:

Here's a useful info site showing daily updates.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Report in Japan

toyokeizai.net/sp/visual/tko/covid19/en.html

I recommend this site for Japan data updates:

Coronavirus COVID-19 Japan Case

https://gis.jag-japan.com/covid19jp/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

WHO's key statement or "test, test, test" often referred to by proponents does NOT recommend proactive, universal testing to anyone at will. Check the original text below.

===

We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test.

Test every suspected case.

If they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with up to 2 days before they developed symptoms, and test those people too. [NOTE: WHO recommends testing contacts of confirmed cases only if they show symptoms of COVID-19]" --- Bold texts made by me.

===

https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---16-march-2020

WHO only suggests conditional testing to those who show symptoms.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Kissing and hugging for each other seem most spread of coronavirus in Europe and America. Husbands hug kiss wives, parents hug kiss children. Men go work and hug kiss female coworkers. Women go work and hug kiss male coworkers. Children go to school and kiss boyfriends/girlfriends. Shaking hands are still good infection spread. Japanese bow seems best greeting, no touch at all.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I would like a post to those who read and use this website. It is related (indirectly) to this topic. I think it is a good venue to share information.

Perhaps many here know this but in case this knowledge is not common yet one medicine people should avoid is Ibuprofen. This is credible research based on science that WHO is actually looking into now.

https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/World-Health-Organization-backs-call-to-avoid-ibuprofen-for-coronavirus-621408

In Italy they found that in many cases with deaths Ibuprofen was used. Further research and testing indicated there is a distinct possibility that Ibuprofen contributes to making cases worse.

If you feel ill in Japan and cannot get tested please avoid Ibuprofen for pain relief or in an attempt to bring down a fever now.

Just passing this on

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The Japanese govt is essentially lying by not ramping up testing. It is lying to those who live in Japan, to the international community and the IOC. Lying just as when it said through its spokesperson,” Everything is under control,"

No, no it’s not and this level of deception is criminal. I hear chickens on the wing, and there are millions of them coming home to roost.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

@TE

Thanks for passing that on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Zichi - maybe we can try to help each other out here in a small way.

As for me I will limit things like this to credible stuff and try to avoid the things of which you speak

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Fuzzy

That's the funny thing about how exponential growth works. The numbers are small, until suddenly they are not. 

I'm only showing the current stat. But over a month ago I got a similar alarmist post that Japan would suffer an exponential increase. It has happened...NOT to Japan but to "testing master" South Korea.

 the curve in Japan currently looks very different to most countries, but that is no cause for complacency.

I never boast Japan's case. I've always stressed caution and course of action Individuals should take for own safety.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Zichi, leaflet, booklet? It’s the 21st Century. Keep it green, use the screen. Agreed that there is a distinct lack of info, total nearly. But we need paper for essentials, not leaflets.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@Nadage TLDR.

Wash your hands. 2. Don’t touch your face. 3. Wear mask to protect from lapses in rule 2. Carry on.
4 ( +5 / -1 )

Latest from Reuters: The Japanese government will consider what to do about school closures and public events based on a meeting of coronavirus experts to be held later on Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

Public broadcaster NHK reported earlier that the meeting is expected to recommend cancellations be decided by region, and that restrictions on activities could be lifted in areas not affected by the virus.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-meeting/japan-to-review-school-closures-based-on-expert-meeting-idUSKBN21609W?il=0

If testing isn't being done, how can they say with any certainty which areas are not affected by the virus?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Akie , if Japan continues not to test properly the virus will get completely out of hand, In such a small country where most people rely on public transportation. The government having the testing and not using it is criminal, who ever made the decision not to do more testing and anyone else that knew about it and said nothing they should all go to jail.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

there is no need for drive-through testing,

We're going to look like fools if we copy the Koreans. People dying is better than copying the Koreans. We need to protect our pride. Also no lockdowns because China already did that.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

"Just because you have capacity, it doesn't mean that we need to use that capacity fully,"

yeah, of course! Why take a pandemic seriously? I’m glad people are finally taking Japan to task on this. I’m pretty sure they haven’t been testing to capacity to protect the corrupt insurance companies, and to avoid showing the true rate of infection and deaths as a result. Would also sink the Olympics for sure.

Not to worry, though, the shills first the government here will blame everyone else.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Bruce Chatwin @ Tokyo-M

After weeks and weeks of this, we've had 29 deaths in Japan so far from this virus.

-- After weeks and weeks of this, we've had 29 deaths in Japan officially attributed to this virus.

There. I fixed it for you.

In 2014, a professor at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine wrote:

"Autopsies in Japan are performed on only 1.6% of all deaths, the lowest rate among developed countries. Cause of death is almost always determined by simple visual inspection, as it was 100 years ago."

In a 2011 Japan Today Kuchikomi article:

"It’s an astonishing fact, in these murky times, that only 11% of the corpses Japanese police deal with are autopsied. This can’t possibly be adequate. A glance at autopsy rates elsewhere confirms this suspicion. Among developed countries, 50% is about average. In Sweden, it’s nearly 90%."

This, exactly this! I've been searching on this topic fo days now, and only from reliable, academic/scientific resources.

The testing has been made unbelievably bureaucratic, and getting a permission to get tested has been made very difficult.

Hospitals are not required to share data on patients who died of "normal reasons" (like pneumonia), or report staff members who've become sick. No tests + no autopsies = "normal" deaths, normal figures.

More on this e.g. from:

https://safecast.org/2020/03/covid-19-testing-in-japan-the-situation-and-ramifications/?fbclid=IwAR1vicyyFmRGSqxV5jkRKKxMWLRaYv_LgYLEERmOJxvu1WHMukLUgldc4lc

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The WHO issued guidelines for determining who should be tested for sars-cov-2 infection, same as with other diseases. All countries generally adhere to the guidelines. In Europe many tests were done because many needed to be tested according to the guidelines. Here in Japan, more strict adherence or interpretation of the guidelines notwithstanding, there are far less who needed testing.

All suspected cases must be tested, suspected as qualified by physicians, not by us

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@noriahojanen

It has happened...NOT to Japan but to "testing master" South Korea.

South Korea didn't start mass testing until their exponential spike was already underway. Their testing has been crucial to their efforts to slow and ultimately reverse the growth. Their infection rate remains under 10,000 and the death toll under 100. Comapre that to what is happening now in Italy, Spain, France...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Basically, what many people want is to junk the WHO guidelines and test anyone who wants to get tested.

Don't you see the problem with that scenario?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

WHO: "Countries should test every suspected case of COVID-19"

The World Health Organization director general: "The most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of transmission. And to do that, you must test and isolate. You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected. We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test. Test every suspected case."

Singapore news agency CNA: "The Japanese government’s advice for people with mild symptoms to stay at home for two weeks and only seek medical attention when their symptoms become severe is not only disconcerting but has also stoked bigger concerns that the Japanese healthcare system will be overwhelmed, if and when wider testing is rolled out and more cases have to be treated. Meanwhile, such advice has seen people with symptoms go to several doctors to ask for help, raising the spectre of further community transmission and spread to healthcare workers."

5 ( +5 / -0 )

So when is this supposed end of the world meant to happen?

Hospitals aren't full, and still no reports of people dropping dead after riding the train.

Either is the biggest cover up ever or the biggest mass hysteria ever.

Think Ill go out for lunch.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Hope Yasuyuki Sahara will be held accountable when things get really bad in a few months.

Oh wait.. It's Japan. Bow and move on.. Onto the next moron.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Question: does anyone here know if the hospitals/healthcare system had been overtaxed by influenza in the past? If the seasonal flu is in decline and covid19 does not sideline a comparable number of people then Japan is in good condition to be able to handle the surge of cases that might be coming. And with the many news of successful clinical trials of drugs that are already in stockpile the overall outlook really shouldn't be all that bleak

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The health ministry's statement however contrasts with a study by the Japan Medical Association, reported by public broadcaster NHK on Wednesday, that 290 coronavirus tests requested by doctors had been refused by health centers.

290 refusals is way to small, there are thousands of refusal daily not by health centers but also clinics who don't want to accept and check those with symptoms because the are not equipped to handle infectious virus like covid-19, lack of mask, suit, face glasses and need to separate those with symptoms from normal patients which the vast majority cannot because of lack of space.

If a doctor who was in contact with someone who turned positive can be refused testing on the basis that both were wearing mask thus making the doctor ineligible. Imagining an average folk with symptoms will easily get testing is delusional.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

One reason for underestimating risk "is that reward obscures risk. When things are going well, we tend to fly high and lose ourselves in the thrill of the reward."

Another reason for underestimating risk is “future aversion“. "The problem of assuming that because the future is unknown it cannot be tested. As a result, when faced with decisions about the future, we may rely solely on present data rather than trying to assess and test the unknown."

Another reason for underestimating risk is the Dunning-Kruger effect, "a cognitive bias in which people assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is. It is related to the cognitive bias of illusory superiority and comes from the inability of people to recognize their lack of ability."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Btw the scenario of not being able to test because of lack of proper testing facilities has been mentioned time and again by @virusrex before during discussions the time the ship quarantine was still ongoing. He said basically that the government was unable to build these facilities due to the opposition of residents to the building of such in their communities

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@ Nadège

I promise, this is all true.

Yes, yes, ...

France is now taking mask to fragile people to give to doctor because they do not know what to do. You understand than 2 weeks ago, France issued an requisition order regarding all mask. As living in a country facing a shortage of mask, people in Japan are aware of this one, you didn't know ?

https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-coronavirus-france-to-requisition-face-masks-for-use-by-health-professionals-those-infected

Any proof/source to back any of your statement ?

I have seen so many incompetent people that i can't believe they didn't kill french political opposition.

So can we consider that we got french far right activist (real or fake) too, now ?

@ ian

what many people want is to junk the WHO guidelines and test anyone who wants to get tested.

More like they want Japan to follow the guideline issued by WHO.

For : No Cases \/ Sporadic Cases \/ Clusters of Cases \/ Community Transmission

Test suspect cases per WHO case definition, contacts of confirmed cases; test patients identified through respiratory disease surveillance.

Some specific for : Community Transmission situation

 If testing capacity is overwhelmed prioritize testing in health care settings and vulnerable groups. In

closed settings test the first symptomatic suspect cases.

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/laboratory-testing-for-2019-novel-coronavirus-in-suspected-human-cases-20200117

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/considerations-in-the-investigation-of-cases-and-clusters-of-covid-19

the scenario of not being able to test because of lack of proper testing facilities has been mentioned time and again

Strange Abe say not so long ago they could test up to 6000 person and they will soon be able to test up to 8000. Did they finish the Nagasaki BSL-4 laboratory ?

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/09/05/editorials/need-high-level-bio-lab/

I wonder how countries with the same number of BSL-4 lab if not less were able to do so many tests then ?

https://www.liquisearch.com/biosafety_level/list_of_bsl-4_facilities

And why just not built them in area far from people ?

Once again the usual politician move : it is not our fault if something is wrong that is because of the people.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@ ian

what many people want is to junk the WHO guidelines and test anyone who wants to get tested.

More like they want Japan to follow the guideline issued by WHO.

Ok =)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So besides kiwi07 is there anyone on here who is ill or knows of anyone who is ill?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As a foreigner living in Japan for 26 years I feel safer here than going back to Canada as the Japanese are taking this virus really serious and have from the start. The government still clearly has not wrapped their brain around this, however, the Japanese on a whole have and really do take great care.

I am not in Japan, never been. But I love this country. My opinion is that government is not a fool! It would be very risky if infections rise and in two weeks the country with so elderly population, would be like Italy and worst. So that will not happen. Japan is the first country that pulled out citizens from China! If there wasn't the Princess story, Japan would have very very little infections. So stay calm! Take precautions and everything will be just fine!

For the ones already ill, I have to say that : all illnesses are not Covid-19! Doctors know better when they examine.

If they do not test you for Covid-19 you don't have it, you have something else like all years before. Take your medication. Stay calm!

Stay healthy! Be happy!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Why drive through testing. Many of us do not have cars, and actually many of us do not ride bike either, but they would probably not be allowed through a drive through because of Japanese rules.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

My opinion is that government is not a fool! It would be very risky if infections rise and in two weeks the country with so elderly population, would be like Italy and worst. So that will not happen.

Many of us thought the same thing 9 years ago about Fukushima and the government completely botched it. So a lot of people are skeptic especially when it involves trusting this government.

Japan is the first country that pulled out citizens from China!

And? Don’t get me wrong that’s the responsible thing to do. But why wouldn’t they do the sensible and smart thing and mass screening?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with up to 2 days before they developed symptoms, and test those people too. [NOTE: WHO recommends testing contacts of confirmed cases only if they show symptoms of COVID-19]" --- Bold texts made by me.

How do you explain the doctor in Kobe who examined a patient who turned up positive for the virus a few days later being turned down when he sought test from the health center and the reason for refusal was that the doctor and patient were both wearing mask.

The guy in Aichi pref who went out spreading the virus 2 weeks ago passed away in the hospital yesterday, remember this guy was supposed to stay at home with other members of his family and the reason he was taken to hospital is because of his action. We know about his death bdcause of his action. The fact that we don't read or hear about deaths from this virus doesn't mean the aren't.

Even if there were families are reluctant to disclose because of the shunning and discrimination that they will face.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan is deliberately testing very few people.

It's a disgrace.

They are trying to protect the Olympics.

I have no faith in the Japanese government.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

This government/political party was not in power in 2011. That would be the DPJ and PM Kan.

I was referring to the Government as an entity in its entirety. But yes, I meant it exactly as I said it.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I was referring to the Government as an entity in its entirety. But yes, I meant it exactly as I said it.

That doesn't make sense. If the government can't be trusted to handle a response to the coronavirus, who should? Should it be left to the free market? The US tried that and it was a catastrophe. That's why they now are having huge government intervention (that you approve of, incidentally).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry but yr figures do not tally for a country of 120,000,000 people. U do not need a simple person like me to tell u. This is not a game, this situation concerns life.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

That doesn't make sense. If the government can't be trusted to handle a response to the coronavirus, who should?

Definitely not the these key stone cops.

The US tried that and it was a catastrophe.

That’s not what Cuomo and Newsom said.

That's why they now are having huge government intervention (that you approve of, incidentally).

No, because it’s temporary and at least in the US more kits are being distributed and testing is being done, that’s at least the very minimum that Japan can do.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Japan 10,205 (Mar 12)

120 million population and that few? But at ¥10,000 a pop what are these people thinking?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Like with no coronavirus testing meaning confirmed cases stay low, if they don't do proper autopsies then they won't notice whether people died of it! I bet Japanese people just assume it was time for their elderly relative to die so don't insist on it, and maybe the doctors just think shō ga nai because they know it can't be done anyway.

I completely agree.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Did you miss your own America rate?

USA 7,934 (Mar 12)

No, at least they’re working on trying to distribute more kits at least they’re more on the ball than ever, what’s Japan’s excuse?

In Japan the cost of the virus test is ¥5.400 @ 30% of costs

It depends where you live, I heard from various people it costs around ¥10.000

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I think that must be the total cost or at a private clinic,

No, I said, it depends and No, it wasn’t a private clinic.

But Japan needs to up the testing for all people showing symptoms or in contact with someone who is positive.

I think Wobot was exactly on the mark.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Question: does anyone here know if the hospitals/healthcare system had been overtaxed by influenza in the past? If the seasonal flu is in decline and covid19 does not sideline a comparable number of people then Japan is in good condition to be able to handle the surge of cases that might be coming. And with the many news of successful clinical trials of drugs that are already in stockpile the overall outlook really shouldn't be all that bleak

Even this comment got downvoted lol. As a resident of Japan, the fact that most JT readers hope we all get sick and die is pretty disturbing.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The lack of testing is ridiculous. I've had cough, fever, and extreme fatigue for several weeks now. Gone to the doctor many times, tried many different medicines, not getting better. Called the help line three times now. They just tell me to go back to the doctor and get medicine.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The lack of testing is ridiculous. I've had cough, fever, and extreme fatigue for several weeks now. Gone to the doctor many times, tried many different medicines, not getting better. Called the help line three times now. They just tell me to go back to the doctor and get medicine

I think you’re right. Well, I seriously hope you get better, and get the proper care you need.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Rosalind Harris, it sounds like you have the coronavirus. Get checked as soon as you can.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan is doing all this in a bid to save the Olympics but it can't be saved. The Olympics does not depend on what is happening in Japan alone however important that is. It is equally important to look at what is happening around the world.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All suspected cases must be tested, suspected as qualified by physicians, not by us

Either Japanese physicians are woefully incompetent or are violating the Hippocratic Oath by refusing to uphold specific ethical standards such as providing services to whoever seeks medical help. In either case, it is not a situation that I would envy.

Question: does anyone here know if the hospitals/healthcare system had been overtaxed by influenza in the past? If the seasonal flu is in decline and covid19 does not sideline a comparable number of people then Japan is in good condition to be able to handle the surge of cases that might be coming. And with the many news of successful clinical trials of drugs that are already in stockpile the overall outlook really shouldn't be all that bleak

And until people get those drugs against COVID-19, then what? Everyone knows that increased testing could save lives by identifying ill people and then ISOLATING them from healthy people. How do you explain that more testing would not help keeping the number of positive cases at lower numbers.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

And until people get those drugs against COVID-19, then what? Everyone knows that increased testing could save lives by identifying ill people and then ISOLATING them from healthy people. How do you explain that more testing would not help keeping the number of positive cases at lower numbers.

Because most are isolating themselves to begin with. So it will tie up resources without any real benefit in Japan. Again don't compare Japan to other countries. Completely different culture. I certainly wouldn't want people standing in line with no mask on waiting for a test, as is happening elsewhere. Great deal of good that will do.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The cost of a virus test under the National Health is set by the government.

Well, don’t know what to tell you, I heard this from a few people that work in the hospitals that’s all I can say.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Don’t think Italy is better: many people refuse to stay at home even if there’s a government ordinance. They say they need of enjoying life is more important than life. The most stupid people of this world...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If there were many infections in Japan, Japan would be like Italy by now. So, keep calm. Take precautions.

About Olympics is true and logical for government to go on as planned, but athletes will not be properly prepared... There is no time, and also preolympics tournaments not running...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Sorry if I missed it but what about eating habits? Natto, green tea and Yakult? Stuff like that. Think that this has helped stem the number of people getting sick in Japan?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

“Italy’s mortality rate is almost triple Japan’s,” said Yoko Tsukamoto, a professor of infection control at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido. “Part of the reason is if you get tested, you get quarantined, so it means that they don’t have enough beds for relatively non-severe patients.”

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just to inform all of the ignorant people out there. Japan is doing the BEST.....to prevent people from being tested. The reported numbers are a TINY fraction of the actual outbreak in Japan.

First of all, Japan to-date has tested fewer people than the state of New York has in the past 2 days. Currently New York is able to do 10,000 tests a day, which they have fully utilized (hence the high outbreak numbers). Japan has tested less than 17,000 people over the course of 2-3 months.

Second, Japan's official Corona deaths does not reflect the actual number of deaths. There are many deaths which are not being reported due to the fact that the victims were not or could not be tested for the Coronavirus before dying and the government is not going out of their way to do a proper autopsy to check if the death was due to Corona in order to maintain official low numbers.

Third, the majority of people are being turned away when they have a legitimate reason for getting tested. I can verify this since me and my significant other both recently tried to get tested but were refused. Both of us had recently visited one of the top 5 outbreak countries. About a week after our return, we both showed unusual symptoms (chills, chest in pain, cough, slight fever). We called the corona hotline in Japan and was on hold, waiting for an operator to pick up for almost an hour before giving up. We went to a hospital and a clinic, both which said they do not have testing capabilities and told us to call the corona hotline. We called the hotline again and eventually was able to get through. We told them of our plight and they just said to self quarantine at home. That's it......we couldn't get tested. So we did. A week later and we got better and had no more symptoms (luckily we are still fairly young). Unfortunately, half a week later the symptoms sprang back with more force. We went to a clinic who tried to refuse to see us, but we were very stubborn about seeing the doctor so finally they told us to come back at their closing time when all of the other visitors were gone. Either they were worried about us infecting the other patients or they didn't want other people to know that they had a potential corona patient in their clinic which might require them to close the clinic for a few days to disinfect since that would cause them to lose money.

Anyway, since there was a bit of time until we had to return to the clinic, we decided to go the city wards health service center. We saw one of their doctors and from the start, it was VERY OBVIOUS that the doctor was trying prevent us from pursing getting tested. He showed us the statistical probability of us having corona. At one point he even asked us if we wanted to go to Korea to get tested. I AM NOT KIDDING....... We told the doctor that we cared more about getting our lungs checked for any problems than getting tested for Coronavirus. The doctor replied, "OHHH..... so you don't want to get a Corona test and only want to get a health check!! Then he went on explaining that if we go to a hospital or a clinic with concerns of possibly having the Coronavirus or wanting to get tested, they will refuse to see us. Again, I AM NOT KIDDING...... I wish I was. This was a doctor from the City's health center telling us this.

This just proves why Japan's Corona testing numbers are so low and why the number of official cases are low as well. If you are stupid enough to think that the official numbers are low because Japan is probably cleaner than other countries, then you are an idiot. Have you been out recently? Do you not notice all the sick people in public recently!

I will continue the rest of my rant later.......I am too tired right now.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

This just proves why Japan's Corona testing numbers are so low and why the number of official cases are low as well. If you are stupid enough to think that the official numbers are low because Japan is probably cleaner than other countries, then you are an idiot. Have you been out recently? Do you not notice all the sick people in public recently!

Your language tells me everything I need to know about why doctor's refused you.

And no, I don't notice sick people in public. Just the usual amount of people suffering from hay fever.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

dion:

I am not in Japan, never been. But I love this country. My opinion is that government is not a fool! It would be very risky if infections rise and in two weeks the country with so elderly population, would be like Italy and worst. So that will not happen. Japan is the first country that pulled out citizens from China!

So that will not happen??? Great logic or just trolling?

Pulled out citizens only to let two just walk away.

If they do not test you for Covid-19 you don't have it, you have something else

I've just got to ask, but what exactly are you on?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

You know those three monkeys in Nikko?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I always found Nihonjinron frustrating, but I hadn't realised how dangerous it was until I read some of the comments in recent weeks. Seeing some of the magical thinking makes me realise the failings of some countries' education systems (not just Japan, as many posters here are not Japanese). I know logical thinking is in short supply in this country, but the shortness shown by some posters on here is truly gobsmacking. For example:

If they do not test you for Covid-19 you don't have it, you have something else.

Example A: You are asymptomatic, but they don't test you. They don't test you, therefore you don't have Covid 19.

Example B: You are feeling unwell and ask for a test, but they refuse to test you. They refuse to test you, therefore you don't have Covid 19.

If your head is in the sand, it will be dark. This does not mean it is necessarily night time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I always found Nihonjinron frustrating

Then goes on to quote something that has nothing to do with Nihonjinron.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hear Japan not doing enough because they are not testing enough, why would you want to overwhelm your medical system with unnecessary testing and risk not being able to treat people who need it, they treated hundreds from the ship, how many died? How many of you here have the symptoms with high continuous high fever and then be rejected by a hospital? Why use up all the tests kits now on people who just want to be tested for testing sake? In the end we will all be able to compare Japan to other approaches elsewhere to see which was more effective, for now Japan needs to be commended considering its borders has been open until last week !

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If cases are so high in this ageing population but are just underreported, you can’t hide it for even one week considering what we are seeing from else where, the virus has been in with us for longer than they have with Italy and USA, yet things are still under control here, that’s a result you can’t dispute.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Guys if you feel unwell it doesn’t mean it’s caused by covid 19 , please go to the hospital and let the professional treat you, stop complaining about not getting tested for this virus for testing sake, what’s important is that you will be able to get treatment when you actually get infected, you can’t have so many out there infected without symptoms in such an ageing population for two months and yet not see the fatalities we see in Italy. I’m not being complacent but I commend those in charge for taking the right decisions after seeing the results in a month

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Then goes on to quote something that has nothing to do with Nihonjinron.

Fair point, @thorogou! Actually should have checked my post before firing it off incomplete. What I meant is that exceptionalism, wherever in the world it rears its head, and Nihonjinron is one example, relies on circular arguments. People start from the idea that "Japan is unique", make an observation e.g. reported numbers of Covid 19 are relatively low in Japan (so far), state that this is because there are few cases, and then trot out a "unique Japan" simplistic assertion along the lines of "it’s the culture" to explain this. Newsflash - Japan is not unique in being unique, and it would help protect us all if right now the government was guided by science, both from within Japan, from other countries and from international bodies.

It is equally possible that the numbers of reported cases are low in Japan because of the restrictive testing regime. And the experience of other countries says that you can have a period of weeks where community spread is gathering pace, with relatively low numbers of serious cases, but then explode. This is why it is premature to assume numbers have peaked in Japan, in the absence of widespread testing to measure this. Conversely, when numbers start to shoot up, it will take weeks to see the results from drastic action to slow the spread of the disease. Health experts predict that the radical measures being carried out in Italy are only likely to start bearing fruit around 38-40 from when they are introduced.

So as part of a comprehensive approach, "test, test, test."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I haven't had time to read all the comments, so pardon me if someone else has made a similar comment.

I believe that the government in Japan is prioritizing the Olympics over the safety of its citizens. Sure, canceling the Olympics would have a devastating impact on the economy, but hiding the rate of infection in order to not derail the Olympics is incredibly irresponsible.

I hope I am wrong, but I believe the rate of infection is far bigger than the government would have us think.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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