Hayashi points to U.S. forces over COVID surge in parts of Japan

The art of the Japanese politician: backbiting and finger-pointing.

Bronco....

Giving vaccinated people "passports" that allowed them

to bypass the safety rules was a mistake.

Never happened, but you know that.

Bla, bla, bla! I believe it was Indian travelers they blamed for the delta strain. The omicron strain is highly contagious and can be transmitted by people who shoe no symptoms. This means that anybody, including Japanese nationals could have brought virus into Japan. Stop wasting time pointing fingers and get in with the business of controlling it.

Always blame the foreigners right?

The ultra conservative nationalist minister of this government is doing a good job in spreading fear among the population.

And so xenophobia keep rampant in this country.

He and his government like the media are portraying the Covid as a foreign disease and like Japanese are magically the victim of this.

Japan has a long story of self isolation and here a new chapter is beginning.

Honestly I expect a more fierce reply from these American bases.

Blaming the foreigners as usual.

Beat me to it.

Others posted it before, Japanese returning from abroad and being infected but still meeting others.

Shhh...! DON'T SAY THAT!

Its the foreigners' fault! Always!

Well, with well over 500 new cases among the military alone down here and literally a few thousand others over the past month SOME of the cases in the local community are directly connected.

But, with well over 10,000 cases in the "off-base" community on it's own, they, the military, are not responsible for all of them.

Only anti-base politicians and their camp-followers point their fingers at the military and try to focus the blame on them, any person with even 1/4 of a brain knows otherwise!

Disgusting.

Why not considering then the possibility that a certain Ministry of Foreign Affairs coming back from several days in the UK in December, when Omicron was already detected there, without quarantining at a government facility 2m x 2m room with cold bento for 6 days upon return and 8 more days at home like us underlings, is one of the factors behind the spread of the virus in his surrounding areas?

Aaaand there it is - once again, they point their fingers at the foreigners and cry wolf. I mean it's not like Japanese people were crammed together like sardines in a can at temples and shrines over New Year's, crossing prefectural borders, stacking themselves on top of each other on already overcrowded public transport daily...noooo. No, it's always the foreigners. The Japanese are infallible.

I have kept myself and others safe. My basic routine (1) home (2) work (3) supermarket.

I am saddened that I see so many Japanese travel to far off places and return to Japan.

Now, the government blames “American Bases.”

How about families going to Okinawa/Osaka/Tokyo for a family trip and come back to Hiroshima (My Home)?

If you all want to blame someone for the virus point your finger in the direction of China or has everyone forgotten already what they did! I haven’t.

I’m not sure what excuse the US Military excuse has for their lax entry protocols - especially knowing they will be scapegoated and don’t have the luxury of fudging numbers…. But in terms of damage, I think at worst they accelerated the inevitable. Every Japanese omicron case let into the country undoubtedly sparked it’s own fire. The US forces cases were just more ignition sources and more thoroughly accounted for.

Dec 24, 2021: “Tokyo confirms first case of omicron community transmission”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/12/24/national/omicron-covid-tokyo/

Tokyo has discovered its first case of community transmission of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said Fri, a sign that it is slowly but steadily spreading in the nation.

The announcement comes after cases of omicron community transmission were detected in Osaka and Kyoto prefectures earlier this week. “

Koike said in a news conference. “So it’s a case of community transmission.”

The patient — a doctor who works at a clinic in Tokyo — is currently hospitalized. The gender of the patient was not revealed.”-

So what about the the Japanese that are not vaccinated! Did he point a finger at them yet?

‘Tit for tat’: Dec 6, 2021 - https://japantoday.com › category › national › urgent-ja...

“— Japan has confirmed its first case of a Japanese national infected with ... The man in his 30s, who had traveled to Italy, was found to be…”

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211206/p2g/00m/0na/053000c

Dec 23, 2021 Osaka: After a lull in new cases of COVID-19 that lasted weeks,

The country saw its first community transmission of the variant Wednesday when Osaka Prefecture detected the new strain in three members of the same family who have no recent travel history.

The 3 individuals — a male schoolteacher, a woman in her 30s and a girl under 10 years old — were hospitalized after developing mild symptoms including fever between Sat and Mon, according to the Osaka Prefectural Government.”

Shameless. Absolutely shameless.

Disgusting japanese character.

Always blaming others for their own mess ups.

How conveniently everyone forgets that cases were suring in tokyo BEFORE they were elsewhere in japan.

Good God.

It’s mostly all the drunk salarymen at those tiny izakayas and the young Japanese that don’t care. Not to mention that there is no way you can social distance in this country , so small everywhere. To suggest it’s the military or foreigners is just ridiculous. 99 percent of the population is Japanese.

He’s actually right. There is partial blame there.

In a way this was a good thing. If Japan had managed to block out Omicron, God knows how long they would have kept the border closed.

There is almost zero natural immunity to the virus here, and that is not a good thing.

And the Japanese tradition of blaming everyone except themselves has begun in 2022?

The surge most probably did not come from the US bases, but it is stupid of the US to have allowed a situation where they can be blamed for.

Scapegoating isn’t helping the situation. This gee-zan isnt helping either.

U.S. military facilities in Japan have possibly caused a resurgence of infections in some areas of the country.

Possibly? No!

For sure!

The whole world knows already that the US army flew in without any tests at arrival at walked freely among the population and mostly without masks.

This was even news in my home country a few days ago.

A new fool is born every minute in Japanese politics!

It is possible to deny a situation !

In actual fact the Japanese government are experts at denail.

Apart from the excellent complaining what has Hayashi actually accomplished with his expert problem solving skills ?

Japan allows these things to happen but then blames others.

Childish behavior.

still with the closing of alcohol related venues....wtf?!

It wasn't the source or cause of any other "outbreak". It didn't slow or stop it any other time but hey, lets close the pubs again....keep on working though, but no drinking that bad alcohol....covid....25 millionth WAVE!!!

Give me a break.

Instead of blaming others, why didn't they close those borders when this pandemic began in the first place? Those personnel aren't coming here as tourists so they need to stay within their confines until this pandemic is considered over.

Japan closed its border soon. US military personnel are completely different from other foreign visitors. They are officially ordered to come to Japan. All personnel should be tested PCR before leaving the US. If test is positive, should be quarantined there. They are official guests to Japan. They should do it at least as American decency for other country/countries.

Blahblahblah. It was going to happen anyway. They were all vaccinated US militariy required it or get discharged.

Japan’s xenophobia is increasing dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and this is something that the foreign community which is a visible minority should be very aware about it considering the past of this country.

Maybe the minister could give a definitive answer?

America has millions of infections there. Okinawa US bases are American soil. It is like father like son. So many soldiers go out and talk loudly there without masks. No doubt It is very possible to infect locals.

Jgov gotta blame the foreigners to ensure Kishida's narratives and image hold up. Pathetic.

Just don't point those fingers at ME!

The reason there were outbreaks in the US bases is that they are testing all personel.

Test the same percentage outside and you’ll see outside is much much worse.

Ah, the commentariat with their twee remarks exhibiting a jingoistic sectarianism in shifting an obvious responsibility shouldered by the occupying U.S. military onto isolated Japanese citizens who were stricken with the SARSCoV-2 virus. Ignoring the large numbers of untested US troops who introduced the omicron variant onto base and the local community. No prior testing of North American soldiers & personnel before departure. Upon arrival no quarantine, let alone lockdown or confinement to base. The US military essentially a disease vector spreading omicron throughout the domestic and community population of Japan.

As for Japanese xenophobia, such is an empty trope facilitated by foreigners who should relocate to elsewhere or get a grasp on customary behavior and existent protocols. A large population of English teachers with minimal skills, excepting they are breathing and speak English and seemingly are unable to find viable employment opportunities at home is akin to a mau-mauing activity or similar to carpetbagging - and are quite vociferous in expressing uninformed opinions that carry no weight. Japan is a rather welcoming place to those who grok the nature of place and the beauty of Japan.

There is an obvious neglect by numerous visitors and guests to comprehend that international travel aka visitors from abroad are the locus of the pandemic and introduction of variants. In order to stave off and limit, if not flatten the pandemic, the borders need to be stringently monitored and entry heavily restricted to nationals and those holding visas registered as aliens. Other than that foreign visitors need to be essentially banned from entry - along with tight restrictions of US military, since the 'home' government seems incapable of keeping its army of occupation under wraps.

Instead of blaming others, why didn't they close those borders when this pandemic began in the first place? Those personnel aren't coming here as tourists so they need to stay within their confines until this pandemic is considered over.

Even if they are fully vaccinated, some people carry virus and infect/spread all over. This is according from American scientists.

The same guy who will cry wolf for help once the little guy starts lobbing bombs on the citizens. Don't bite the hand that protects you.

qazwsxJan. 14 08:51 am JST

Not blaming the gaijin, blaming the stupid US military for not requiring testing for those flying into Japan, nor quarantining like everyone else, both foreigners and Japanese nationals.

Those military, who often fly in on commercial flights, are putting everyone else at risk. When I came back to Japan last month, there were signs for those with SOFA status to bypass the normal testing at the airport.

Actually, you are wrong. When the military personnel fly on civilian aircraft they do the testing pre-departure (required), test at the airport (required), isolate for 5 days at a US military location for 5 days (required), and only after a negative test on day 5, they are allowed movement but on base only until day 14 (required). Then on day 15 they are allowed movement. This is codified in general orders to all assigned to Japan.

I really hate it when someone with zero connection to the military uses supposition and correlation to spew false information.

Blaming the foreigners as usual.

Well the virus did come from foreigners. Can't deny that.

@Tomchonchon

Jan. 14  08:42 am JSTPosted in: Hayashi points to U.S. forces over COVID surge in parts of Japan  See in context

Jgov gotta blame the foreigners to ensure Kishida's narratives and image hold up. Pathetic.

Oh no. It's unwelcomed and unwanted parasites to be blamed, The exit is always open wide

Japan's plan was to keep out omicron by restricting incoming travelers with tests before travel, on arrival and insisting on fairly strict quarantine measures. Sadly the back door was left open for US military under SOFA agreements to bypass this plan. Many, though probably not all of the infections we see today are the result of this.

He's right. The marines allowed hundreds in without testing and the spread started on these bases. He's shooting straight from the hip.

@chili

Some people can't have vaccine even if they want one. They have medical reasons or physical reasons, something like that. it seems he would not point a finger at them if they have good reasons.

It's not a "possibility", it's fact. And since Okinawa is Japanese territory, there's no way to prevent it from spreading to the mainland.

Not blaming the gaijin, blaming the stupid US military for not requiring testing for those flying into Japan, nor quarantining like everyone else, both foreigners and Japanese nationals.

Those military, who often fly in on commercial flights, are putting everyone else at risk. When I came back to Japan last month, there were signs for those with SOFA status to bypass the normal testing at the airport.

At last, a person that can say clearly a fact to America.

I am really surprised how many people complain about pointing fingers to the US military.

How many times do these people pointed their fingers to Japan?

Almost every day here, people are pointing their fingers at Japan and the japanese people.

....Japan is doing this... Japan is doing that..., japanese people are doing this..., japanese people are doing that...

What is the difference? Because it is the Big US Military?

It is not allowed to point the finger to US Military, even they did a big mistake with very big consequences?

And when I see, how many times, uncountable times, people here or everywhere in the world pointing out fingers to people who are unvaccinated to put other people under a high risk, and then complain that fingers were pointed out to the US Military for really doing a big break of the Corona test rules and set the population of Japan under a very high risk...Sorry but I do not understand that.

He's not blaming foreigners. He blaming just the US forces. Seems reasonable to me given the cluster outbreak in Okinawa.

Anything different would be the same as saying the virus didn’t originate in Wuhan but was brought into China.

People on JT blame China all the time, yet when the American army messes up, they instantly cry xenophobia. So much hypocrisy.

I am really surprised how many people complain about pointing fingers to the US military.

How many times do these people pointed their fingers to Japan?

Almost every day here, people are pointing their fingers at Japan and the japanese people.

....Japan is doing this... Japan is doing that..., japanese people are doing this..., japanese people are doing that...

What is the difference? Because it is the Big US Military?

It is not allowed to point the finger to US Military, even they did a big mistake with very big consequences?

They are bunch of losers. They are sitting all day long for spitting around with whatever excuse not to leave here.

And especially posts like Jgov gotta blame the foreigners.

That is complete nonsense.

He is the king of losers, completely paranoid, and yet for some reason, living his life as a parasite

Not blaming the 'gaijin' they are blaming the U.S army which is actually to be fair correct.

Of course. The main culprits. Moving where they want within the country, not quarantining properly, returning from abroad and meeting others immediately.

Why the finger shouldn't be pointed at Japan?

Absolutely!

I 100% agree!

If Japan is doing something wrong and people point their finger at Japan...that is OK.

But then on the other side, people can not complain if Japan pointed the finger at the US military for doing something wrong.

And especially posts like Jgov gotta blame the foreigners.

That is complete nonsense.

Or is the US Military staff japanese?

problme did not appeared if there were no foreign boots in Japan...send all of them back home.all.just go back home and protect your democracy values at home.

Finally some minister who has the guts to say the truth, the peak started in Okinawa, just a coincidence?

Japan lost the war but this doesn't mean they should lose their honor.

Well done Yoshimasa-san

I am saddened that I see so many Japanese travel to far off places and return to Japan.

It seems to me most Japanese (with family) are working overseas and just returned home. They are not travelers but business people who lately came back from overseas. Japan closed its border. Travelers can't go out.

And here i though they didn't have the balls to call out their ally.