national

Emperor appears concerned Olympics could spread COVID: official

45 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

45 Comments
Login to comment

Did you hear that, PM Suga? Emperor Naruhito is concerned about the danger that holding the Olympics could cause.

Call the Games off until 2022. You don't want to irk the Emperor, do ya?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where were all these "voices" and "views" 6 months to a year ago when we saw this train wreck coming?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Netoyo scum on twitter are already calling the Emperor "anti-Japanese" for his flunky's comments:

https://twitter.com/SzendiChelsea/status/1408033864031764483/photo/1

What kind of twisted brain-wrong man-mental could contort a simple expression of "concern" into being anti-Japanese? These people are unhinged.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hope for the best, fear the worst.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am no friend of monarchy if, for no other reason, the absolute prima facie denial of collective Human intelligence it represents. Saying that, I must also point out that, among such archaices, the Nihonsei version seems relatively benign and wholesome. Nobody in this Royal family with a VIP season pass to the childhood magic of Epsteinland, have members so disgusted in general that they reject their family, have no clouds of racist princess assassination polluting their aires, and seem mostly a credit to their People as representatives, however archaic the institution truly is. The positions previously held by 'royalty' in our world are now held by bankers and other morally impaired sorts. We spend much money on 'museums' and places to store and display artifacts from the past. The Japanese Royal family is a 'living museum' and, if the people are willing to support such an historical symbol of their national identity, they do. That they are currently blessed with worthy representatives of such history, which may be just luck if observing other such preserved anachronisms is any guide, is perhaps their good fortune. As I say, I am no fan of monarchies just for what they speak of Human intelligence and Human independence but, if I had to have one, there are few others with less negative impact upon their People. The fact that hierarchical, homicidal Human social structure itself is our implacable path to extinction doesn't really matter, does it?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

No problem, all he needs to do is isolate behind his walls and moats, and make sure his servants maintain a safe distance and wear masks.

He can watch the games on television and send a double to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

If he loves the Japanese people,and humans. please stop the OLYMPICS.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

He should be concerned....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The emperor appears concerned ?

He is Concerned?

Feels Concern ?

Maybe he doesnt even care and is more concerned about the how things appear.........................?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Emperor appears concerned Olympics could spread COVID: official

Could is a very positive way of seeing things.

It is already, and probably not even 10% of the athletes arrived.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The Emperor is head of state. He is not to interfere in politics.

Sport is not political (in theory).

Perhaps Japan's Head of State should speak out more on various issues (non-political, of course).

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Given Japan’s constitution and culture, the Emperor is in a difficult position, he may well feel deep concern and may even think privately that the Olympics should be postponed in light of the pandemic and the people’s opposition, but he can not come out directly and say so. By an intermediary expressing it this way it will be understood by those it is aimed at but without the Emperor breaking protocol, and he will take any flack not the Emperor.

It’s a daft system to most non Japanese including my self, but it is a very Japanese solution!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Will the IOC allow Japan to insist that visiting athletes and officials be vaccinated, as well as test negative?

If only Japanese officials had started mass vaccinations a few months ago, instead of just before the games, the danger of a surge of Covid-19 cases in Japan would be much less.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It appears that he is showing more common sense, compassion and respect for the science and experts than the national and local government.

Then again so is anybody that has no horse in the race and understand the games are going to be held mainly because of the profits some people would not receive if they were cancelled.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The Emperor is head of state. He is not to interfere in politics.

This must mean the IOC is actually a political organisation, right? So in that case, we demand accountability from a political organisation. How can such a political organisation be lording it over us and making life and death decisions that will impact countries all over the world?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I don't blame the Emperor for being concerned. The people that didn't get a national and general vaccination program pushed out faster (like in April and May) should be held accountable. The Tokyo Olympics could become a massive coronavirus super spreader and new variant creator event. Just plain ridiculous. Well at least some Japanese companies and politicians got their money. I'm sure they had privileged first serve vaccination service.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The only reason why Kato said what he did is because the imperial household has taken the side of the people. Me thinks Kato has stuck his foot in his mouth big time.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

He should be concerned, and he should have spoken up months ago when there was time to stop this madness. But in typical Japanese fashion there is no desire to take decisive action or responsibility

6 ( +10 / -4 )

It’s very unusual for the Imperial Household Agency to share with the general public what the Emperor feels about a sports event. Maybe someone in the Agency is trying to use him for political reasons.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

louisferdinandc

So in the last 7 days there have been 2 asymptomatic people who tested positive in relation to the Olympics, out of the 100% people tested among the foreign delegations that entered Japan.

At the same time, over 8,000 people tested positive domestically, all of them having being tested only because they were either showing symptoms or very close contacts of positive cases (notoriously Japan doesn’t trace even kids in the same school class if they don’t seat close to each other…). Thousands of asymptomatic positives - which represent over 90% of the positives everywhere in the world where tracing is done seriously - take the train every day, go to work, to school, to do sports. Even with a low estimate of the asymptomatic cases that are likely to be hidden by the lack of testing, there have been probably 100,000 positives in Japan just last week. Which is as many as the people expected to come for the Olympics.

But the Olympics are the problem.

I agree with you. How come no noise is made about the hoards of people who are living life like nothing was wrong or out of the ordinary? There happens to be a few shopping centres near where I live, and they're always full of people, people gathering together, eating together, whatnot. Groups of moms and their babies in parks spending time very closely to each other, kids running around with no masks. (It's ok if kids don't have masks, I get it, but why must you then gather together in groups?)

Salarymen having their smokes and drinks in the evenings, of course, again in groups. School bukatsus and circles going on as normal. Basically, whatever is happening at normal times in a Japanese society: it's happening now as well. The only difference is, that majority of the people are wearing masks (albeit many of them are only covering chins).

Early on people commenting here were saying the government is scapegoating the foreigners, saying the spread of the virus is their fault (and yes, it's true - the gov was unjustifiably doing that). Now, however, the same people are doing the same thing and scapegoating the Olympics, forgetting what goes on in this country on a daily basis - perhaps even in their own lives?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Since the Emperor, by tradition, stays away from making any direct comments about the governing policies of the PM, this is a relatively strong statement stating, in laymen's terms, "Hey Suga, STOP already with holding the games! The people come first!"

It's not his majesty's direct comment while the secretary released the statement on his behalf, presupposing and reflecting 拝察 his thoughts. The Imperial House usually allows it on record while the comments are carefully worded with some safeguards.

During the Q&A session, the secretary stressed that the comment is based on his feeling on the skin 肌感覚 or first-hand experience via daily interactions with the Emperor.

Overall, I also suppose :) that the "concerned" is authentic, representing and shared with his majesty and the staff within the Imperial House.

(質問)陛下が五輪が感染拡大のきっかけになるのを懸念されているというのは長官の拝察ということ

(長官)拝察です。日々陛下とお接しする中で私が肌感覚として受け止めているということです

(質問)仮に拝察でも長官の発言としてオンだから、報道されれば影響あると思うが。発信していいのか

(長官)はい。オンだと認識しています。私はそう拝察し、感染防止のための対策を関係機関が徹底してもらいたいとセットで

(質問)これは陛下のお気持ちと、受け止めて間違いない

(長官)私の受けとりかたですから。陛下はそうお考えではないかと、私は思っています。ただ陛下から直接そういうお言葉を聞いたことはありません。そこは誤解ないようにお願いします(杉浦達朗)

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Now is the best timing to dissolve courts and call for re-elections.

The Emperor does not have that power.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Now we will see who the government respects more: the Emperor or the IOC.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The Emperor is head of state. He is not to interfere in politics.

Emperor is there to stop the PM when goes rogue mode.

Now is the best timing to dissolve courts and call for re-elections.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Thanks to the Emperor.

That said the olympics has been causing covid spikes & DEATHS throughout 2020 & now 2021.....ALL so that Japan could ""show"" the world that Japan could put on a safe olympics which CLEARLY it CAN NOT!!!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Here's the full text (in Japanese only) for the press briefing at the Imperial House.

「陛下は開催で感染拡大しないか懸念と拝察」宮内庁長官

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP6S54Z2P6SUTIL02L.html

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Everyone is concerned, but will would Barron Von Ripper-off cancel the Olympics? I doubt it!!! He is too busy laughing all the way to the Bank...

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The Emperor is head of state. He is not to interfere in politics.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

So in the last 7 days there have been 2 asymptomatic people who tested positive in relation to the Olympics, out of the 100% people tested among the foreign delegations that entered Japan.

At the same time, over 8,000 people tested positive domestically, all of them having being tested only because they were either showing symptoms or very close contacts of positive cases (notoriously Japan doesn’t trace even kids in the same school class if they don’t seat close to each other…). Thousands of asymptomatic positives - which represent over 90% of the positives everywhere in the world where tracing is done seriously - take the train every day, go to work, to school, to do sports. Even with a low estimate of the asymptomatic cases that are likely to be hidden by the lack of testing, there have been probably 100,000 positives in Japan just last week. Which is as many as the people expected to come for the Olympics.

But the Olympics are the problem.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I don't have a bad word to say about Naruhito. He seems to "get it." He takes his responsibilities seriously, and shows consideration for the Japanese when the politicians couldn't care less.

Thanks, Tenno Heika, for enunciating from the mountaintop what we've been screaming from the valleys for months! Take note, Suga. The Symbol of the State says these Olympics are concerning, while the Mayor Of Tokyo claims (in recovery and unavailable for comment).

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Since the Emperor, by tradition, stays away from making any direct comments about the governing policies of the PM, this is a relatively strong statement stating, in laymen's terms, "Hey Suga, STOP already with holding the games! The people come first!"

27 ( +28 / -1 )

The rest of the article is more revealing…

*"His majesty is very worried about the current infection situation of the COVID-19 disease," Yasuhiko Nishimura, grand steward of the agency, said at a press conference.*

Yes, revealing that he was worried about COVID-19 in general, and said nothing of the Olympics. So now the media is speculating on what the emperor thinks about the games.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Suiko Tenno wouldn't have let the games go ahead, I can tell you that twice.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Last Olympics he was all over the TV and on all events.

Last Olympics he wasn't even emperor yet.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

such an archaic system where an emperor says one thing, a PM another and local governors acting differently

11 ( +16 / -5 )

“I believe the emperor is concerned”

What does this mean?

Is he concerned or not?

The rest of the article is more revealing…

"His majesty is very worried about the current infection situation of the COVID-19 disease," Yasuhiko Nishimura, grand steward of the agency, said at a press conference.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

It's about time for the Emperor to make a public statement, or appearance, or a sign... it's been years of silence already.

Last Olympics he was all over the TV and on all events.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

If true, The Emperor is right. Hosting an event with over 100,000 people from all areas of the globe, some unvaccinated, others unknowingly carrying the virus, staying at dozens of different hotels around Japan, certainly does have the potential to greatly increase infections.

Plus the majority of Japanese people DON'T WANT IT.

But expect the usual pro-IOC mob to decry him as being "negative", "Anti-Japanese" and so on.

22 ( +27 / -5 )

I wish he'd come out and unequivocally state, "Yo, cancel those damn Olympics or I am so done with you people!"

Noblesse oblige and all that.

19 ( +27 / -8 )

I believe the emperor is concerned

What does this mean?

Is he concerned or not?

4 ( +14 / -10 )

Of course, noble people are highest educated and very wise. So one can only come to this and not any other conclusion. Nowadays (for many decades) it of course lacks everywhere of executive power. That’s why the world looks like it looks and develops into all possible wrong directions, strictly ‘avoiding’ the right path. Remains only to publish concerns or give some points of views and inspiration for a change in direction. It’s often useless, but the more necessary than ever before.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Aw, that’s so sweet. The emperor’s aid has opined that the emperor might have feelings of concern. You can only love a man of empathy.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites