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Tens of thousands of children to be allowed to attend Paralympics

141 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE and MARI YAMAGUCHI

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141 Comments

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Time to sing 'The Logical Song' again

44 ( +51 / -7 )

Plans are being made to allow tens of thousands of school children to attend the Tokyo Paralympics 

And then they are wondering why nobody follows their stupid SOE.

In Shizuoka Prefecture, located about 160 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, all 93 schools have canceled their planned participation because of the state of emergency taking effect in the area

At least so far one prefecture which has a brain and which is using it.

62 ( +70 / -8 )

I mean, what could go wrong?!

54 ( +61 / -7 )

Japan, Japan, Japan...when will you learn?

46 ( +55 / -9 )

The J-Gov't is searching hard to be able to blame "a group" for the spread of the Virus. First they were blaming the Elderly because they were not getting vaccinated. Then they were blaming the 20-30 year olds saying they were going out drinking. Then they were blaming foreigners.Now they are going to blame children for the spread? Eventually there will be no more groups of people to blame.

38 ( +46 / -8 )

Plans are being made to allow tens of thousands of school children to attend the Tokyo Paralympics despite the coronavirus delta variant spreading among teenagers and those even younger who are not vaccinated.

I think using the term “allow” is misleading. They are told to go, the bus is there. I’m pretty sure there as usual a “voluntary” option that if you use, forget having friends. Another great idea from the clueless.

36 ( +42 / -6 )

… as long a parents and schools are supportive. 

And how many Japanese parents and schools are going to be supportive in this environment? What school board, school principal, or PTA would be willing to take on that responsibility? “Zero” would be my guess.

31 ( +36 / -5 )

They argue it's important to have students view athletes with disabilities, which could change attitudes in a relatively conservative society like Japan.

Can’t argue with that lofty sentiment …. but why can’t the students watch it on tv?

What a mixed message … on the one hand schools are closing and on the other they are sending these students to watch sports.

Bizarre … and Bach this doesn’t improve your already tarnished image.

34 ( +37 / -3 )

Honestly, the reason why the Paralympics haven’t been cancelled is that would be political suicide for Suga. Allowing Olympics but not Paralympics would make him lose the vote of many disabled people and their relatives (or at least those who empathize with them).

The only clever act would have been cancelling the Olympics but that’s in the past now. We have to brace for a new wave of infections. Again.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

Stupidity abounds.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

Alongside the undeniably ludicrous idea of padding seats with the least-vaccinated sector of society amid a pandemic, the mealy-mouthed platitude nonsense spouted by Olympic spokespersons is equally frustrating.

"Inspire a new generation", "triumph over adversity", "the event that brings the world together" or some variation thereof. Absolute token guff.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Unbelievable.

26 ( +30 / -4 )

Shigeru Omi seems to be the only one with a brain in this government. I wish he was listened to more.

25 ( +27 / -2 )

Japanese government says to the population especially the young:

" stay home, no festivals, social distance, don't eat out, don't go drinking, etc.. covid danger get vaccinated"

Japanese government holds massive sporting events, invites tens of thousands, fills stands with thousands of youth!

Vaccination for younger people still not available in much of Japan especially large unban areas like Tokyo.

Japanese government:

" We are perplexed as to why people especially the young are not listening and following our recommendations, we need to find a way to communicate better to them"

I don't have anymore words left to describe the situation beyond cluster F.

21 ( +29 / -8 )

What school board, school principal, or PTA would be willing to take on that responsibility? “Zero” would be my guess.

No offense. But you must be new to Japan.

Watch and learn... watch and learn.

18 ( +26 / -8 )

This is a mistake.

Young adults and children are the least vaccinated part of the population and the delta variant has been infecting young adults and kids at much higher rates.

Another mistake will be reopening schools from the summer vacation with fall & winter right around the corner.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

Wow, this just gets stupider.

21 ( +25 / -4 )

Opposition is coming from the Japanese government’s top medial adviser. Dr. Shigeru Omi told a parliamentary session a few days ago that the current COVID-19 situation “compared to before the Olympics is significantly worse.

What would that guy know?

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

They argue it's important to have students view athletes with disabilities, which could change attitudes in a relatively conservative society like Japan.

Sound familiar!

"Hey look look we have Gaijin in our company/school look look they are real not a myth"

Now it is going to be:

" Look at these oddities, yes they can actually do things, look children"

Children: "Eehhhh seguiiiii! Can we touch? is it safe?

"Change attitudes"

Give me a break, if they really wanted that they would make integration of the disabled into the public school system a priority and not the exception as it is now!

I looks more like bringing the children on a day trip to the zoo to look at the exotic animals.

If I were a Paralympian I would be thoroughly insulted!

20 ( +27 / -7 )

Maybe they should read Today’s “Opinion” piece: “Sports should require fans be vaxxed - or stay home -” Aug 23, 2021 ??

1 ( +6 / -5 )

For a change agree with every message so far here - this is beyond ridiculous

Yesterday, even for a sunday there were 769 positive cases aged below 19 yrs old in Tokyo

Am sure out of these children being asked to attend more than 90% would not be vaccinated - wht could go wrong? They will use buses (crowded), likely get the virus, go back home and pass it on to their family members

Talk about creating super spreader events in open public under the guise of doing good for people - I also believe half the fault lies with Japanese people for blindly following what the govt says and not taking a stance or not being active during elections - no wonder 31% population still think Suga is doing a good job - you deserve this present state of affairs and you (Japanese people) are equally to blame in this case

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Here is some food for thought.

On July 28th the Tokyo government information noted that over half of the severe covid cases in hospital (AKA ICU) were between the ages of 39 and 59.

The average age of new mothers in Japan is 31 and has been for some time now.

So they plan on bringing children to a mass event during the height of covid so they can return to their parents who are between the ages of 39 and 59 with a nice deadly gift!

I mean what could go wrong!?

13 ( +21 / -8 )

The obvious never stood a chance in this nation. I guess 15,500 deaths to COVID-19 is NOT enough.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Asiaman7Today 06:55 am JST

… as long a parents and schools are supportive. 

And how many Japanese parents and schools are going to be supportive in this environment? What school board, school principal, or PTA would be willing to take on that responsibility? “Zero” would be my guess.

Hahaha...more than you would expect. The schools don't care, or even understand Covid. Most parents just want the kids out of the house, and the PTA just leave it to the teachers to look after the safety of the kids.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

That should be good. Barring a an extremely small %, kids don't catch or spread the virus. Much greater chance of their grandparents getting hit by a car and dying than catching Covid and from their grandchildren and dying.

-29 ( +3 / -32 )

Any parent with half a brain would say no to sending their kids to an event like this. Never expect the government to take responsibility for you and your family--the decision has to be made in the home. And believe me, the first teacher / parent to make a comment to me about why my child isn't going, is going to get an American laced verbal accosting of how dangerous and stupid a decision like this is.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Crazy idea! Sheer lunacy.

Vaccines work very well, and are just as affective as other forms of modern medicine, and traditional medicines. There is nothing 100% successful when it comes to health, other than death.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

cases are surging so let’s send unvaccinated kids to the Paralympics!

a new Go To campaign but he Japanese Govt?

9 ( +15 / -6 )

“Daily new cases have increased sharply since the Olympics opened on July 23”. Again, trying to imply a causal relationship to blame an external factor, while all sports events in Japan allowed thousands of people every week for months without any testing.

In this sense, sending the children to the Paralympics is logic, at least as logic as allowing fans in all other events. They obviously both contribute to the spread, but the logic is the same. Seems the alternative logic to allow vaccinated people to attend events and require testing for the others who also want to attend (so that there is no discrimination, the paradoxical excuse used by the government) is not considered. Because those other countries don’t know what they are doing.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Huh? My junior high school son who will be fully vaccinated like I am after today had won free tickets to the Para Olympics via the Meiji Dream Kids campaign, but was told he couldn't attend. They even sent us a huge box filled with various Meiji candy, 3 T-shirts some flags and hats as an apology.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

If the Japanese government was a movie character it would be gollum/smeagol from Lord of the Rings

Gollum: the Rings my precious rings, must have my precious Olympic Rings, the rings must have food! What food do my precious rings want? Spectators oh yes spectators young juicy fresh spectators!

Smeagol: No, No the Covid will get them and more, the covid is bad, we must stop the covid we must keep people safe, at home,etc...

A complete schizophrenic, split personality government!

7 ( +14 / -7 )

hooktrunk2Today  08:30 am JST

Huh? My junior high school son who will be fully vaccinated like I am after today

Mind telling use where this place is ( AKA where you live) and how?

Our ward in Tokyo hasn't even opened for under 30 because of vaccine shortages.

And this is pretty common in most of Tokyo.

Anyone it Tokyo know wards that are vaccinating children already?

2 ( +9 / -7 )

In 2020:

"Please stay home so you don't spread the virus. But please, go to travel. Here are some vouchers for hotel discount. But please, stay home so we can control this. Here are some vouchers to go to eat at restaurants for free. But please stay home."

And now in 2021:

"Spectators at the Olympics, YAS! But please stay home. Ok, no spectators. Mmm, no no, yes to spectators. Ok, no. Yes. No. Mmm but we need kids to see the games. Ok bring them (and their parents). But everyone, please stay home. Why so much pedestrian traffic!? We said stay home. But please do come to the games."

I understand not a single government or organization will get an A in this Covid situation. Not even the ones that got their act way up like S. Korea and New Zealand. But Japan gets and F+ in this thing.

Oh wait! You can't grade anyone at Japanese schools with anything lower than a "C."

7 ( +14 / -7 )

This ""idea"" is simply EVIL......how on earth can anyone say this is a good idea.......

No words can adequately describe this stupid sick way of thinking.....

3 ( +7 / -4 )

When stupid meets moronic. This is ONLY being done to shore up more support for the Paralympics because people are less interested, and Koike has done it to coincide with cancellations of school trips due to... wait for it... Covid-19. Yup. Can't have gatherings like school trips, so let's gather in the tens of thousands to cheer on Koike's pet project! Hope none of the kids gets sick and needs hospitalization; the Olympics have already made that a death sentence.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

And of course because there is absolutely no bullying in Japan, said children will in no way be picked on when they go back to school and called names. "Hey everyone, it's Corona-kun! Corona-kun! Corona-kun! Corona-kun!"

7 ( +11 / -4 )

What could be worst for Tokyo now ? Something like this ?

Euro 2020 final at Wembley was a "superspreader" event. Public Health England said 2,295 people were likely to have been infectious with a further 3,404 people potentially acquiring infection at the July 11 match.

Japan political leaders have definitively lost their minds, that's all, nothing more to add.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Is she out of her mind?

12 ( +14 / -2 )

I thought I was reading the Onion here, are they insane? The LDP and those involved in the Olympics are genuinely insane. The kids can watch on TV in their classrooms or at home, to have 140,000 of then gather in buses and auditoriums when infections are running out of control due to the previous superspreader Olympics? Insane.

Japan is unmanaged right now, the LDP is beyond incompetent. This has been true for decades but now it is obvious to even die hard LDP supporters. The LDP is trying to kill you and has been since Feb 2020 starting with the Diamond Princess disaster.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

How can Suga expose Japan's children to a danger like this?

If Suga allowed fully vaccinated people to attend, I can understand, but why children none of who are vaccinated?

Just make it another audience-free event. If zero audience was acceptable for the Olympics, why not also Paralympics?

1 ( +7 / -6 )

@Antiquesaving

Mind telling use where this place is ( AKA where you live) and how?

Our ward in Tokyo hasn't even opened for under 30 because of vaccine shortages.

Sure. I live in Adachi-ku. Our family all received our vouchers but I was the only one who could get my shots through the local ward. So, we called our pediatrician and he was giving them to kids 12 through JH. He said our 16yr old daughter could get hers if a cancelation occurred. Surpisingly there was a cancelation at their other clinic the next day.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Insanity rules!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

hooktrunk2Today  09:09 am JST

Adachi-ku my old stomping ground until just a bit under 2 years ago.

Ok but I keep hearing about the"private" doctors that somehow have vaccine.

Most of my children's friend's are in Adachi-ku all early to mid 20s and no vaccine for them available!

If you got Moderna you are in for another day but don't take ibuprofen not recommended need to find acetaminophen it is the only one until recently tested to be safe after Vaccination. Though I haven't checked in a while to see if ibuprofen is now ok.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

This might have been OK if it wasn't so clearly a stunt.

Perhaps the powers that be behind the games aren't really aware of how easy it is to see through this kind of stuff.

Powers that be: "Oh, we'll use children! Everyone loves children, so if we say that we will have children at the games, people will think that we are great and they will not say horrible things about the games! We are strategic geniuses!"

Taxpayers: "Dude. We weren't born yesterday",

Powers that be: "Drat and curses. We would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling taxpayers!"

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

allowed

If this astonishing plan goes ahead it would be interesting to know if attendance at a Paralympic event will be counted as attendance at school.

That was the original plan for "allowing" children to attend the Olympics when it was decided that foreign spectators would be prohibited. That plan was met with a fierce backlash and it's obvious that this one will be too.

I'd be prepared to bet money that Bach has leaned on Suga and Koike to float this idea and gauge the public/media response. It was widely reported he was pressing Suga to allow spectators into the Olympics right up to the opening ceremony.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

This is like the Medieval Children's Crusade, if you know what that was. That was when children were sent to the so-called Holy Land to reestablish Christianity. People innocently thought God would protect children (and fools). The children died or became slaves. There is something of the same insane mentality here. Only thousands of children, the least vaccinated, stand to become diseased. Thus, thousands of children will become walking time bombs, unwittingly really to infect tens of thousands of others. Have Suga and Koike gone stark raving mad?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Adachi-ku my old stomping ground until just a bit under 2 years ago.

Then you might know the clinic. Not sure I can give names, but it's the one with the A logo near OB in Takenotsuka. Well known pediatrician.

Ok but I keep hearing about the"private" doctors that somehow have vaccine.

Yeah, he had Pfizer too!

Most of my children's friend's are in Adachi-ku all early to mid 20s and no vaccine for them available!

JT mentioned in an article last week I think that they opened a walk in vaccination spot in Shibuya. Might check that out.

If you got Moderna you are in for another day but don't take ibuprofen not recommended need to find acetaminophen it is the only one until recently tested to be safe after Vaccination. Though I haven't checked in a while to see if ibuprofen is now ok.

I got Pfizer and did a quick check with the CDC and they said it was OK as long as I don't have any medical issues with taking Ibuprofen. I take my son to the doctor for his shot today, so will confirm this. Thanks :)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html

1 ( +2 / -1 )

First they impose SOE on over half of prefectures, tell people to stay home and businesses to close early and stop selling alcohol at 8pm, tell companies to increase the remote work to 50%. And then send thousands of kinds to the Paralympics. First, its stupid beyond words. Second that is completely against medical advice. And then they ask why people do not follow their SOE mandates!!! The answer is obvious!!! Why should we??? When YOU do this, AGAIN!!! No one cares about your stupid SOE anymore!!!!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Another wonderful big non sense.but after the Abenomask,Goto travel and eat,quasi lockdowns,and Olympics all in the middle of a pandemic now they come up with this ridiculous thing.

Instead of protecting children they come up with such ridiculous promotions.

And the article is even misleading when it says “About 40% of the Japanese population is fully vaccinated.”

The propaganda make it sound like a positive thing,which instead should be say that still 60% of the huge population of Japan is still not fully vaccinated.

But hey,this is the LDP and so common sense and logic are something alien.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

130,000???????

130,000 children, with say, roughly, both parents, makes up 390,000 people potentially at risk.

My question to Koike is, "????!???????"

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"Do these children have to buy tickets or its free"

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Myop

"Do these children have to buy tickets or its free"

My JH age son's tickets were complimentary via Meiji Dream Kids with accommodations as well. You might scroll up to read more of what I said regarding his vaccination status as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Is this a learning experience for children? What will the learn about ‘elitist’ hypocrisy? -

The few ‘available’ seats for “Tokyo’s **Premier Olympic Games” were **filled with visiting dignitaries, VIP politicians, Corporate Sponsor Heads AND their families & ‘guests’.

These same elite persons have no obvious interests in ‘those physically & mentally challenged’ or THEIR number of spectators would be equaled for the Paralympic Games.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So now, organizers want to fill those same seats with “Tens of thousands of children to be allowed to attend Paralympics

AND the significant number of teachers, volunteers and support staff to ‘chaperone’ these students ??

Children are now dying in increased numbers worldwide. Why is Japan ALWAYS the dead last to understand??

3 ( +7 / -4 )

''Tens of thousands of children to be allowed to attend Paralympics''?

But will they be allowed to drink beer?

Our 'dear leaders' did not get their positions through stupidity or lack of logic. On the contrary, they are clever, but less scrupulous than most of us in their single-minded pursuit of power over others. Beyond the community level, 'democratically elected' politicians are usually just the middlemen. Business interests not constrained by elections or salaries, are pulling their strings. In turn, the technocratic bureaucrats, propaganda arm, and military enforcers carry out the will of the self-interested state. Their salaries, loans, and mortgages depend on it.

I can draw only one of two conclusions from the flip-flopping narrative thus far, and the two need not be mutually exclusive.

1 — Children, as with most of the population, are expendable human capital.

2 — The narrative about a virus being attributed to so many deaths is not scientifically correlated with public policies or edicts. Corporate nation-states are using massive a PSYOP campaign to 'nudge' (thank you Laura Dodsworth) populations into doing something they would ordinarily not do through informed consent ... not unlike the same techniques used during war-time propaganda. As to what the population is being herded to do remains yet remains to be clear, but it is not correlated with a healthy, prosperous life ... otherwise there would be more 'news' about the importance of proper nutrition and a healthier life style.

Gentle readers, as always, draw your own conclusions.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Agreed. Logic for some in J government was possibly “separated at birth” @Antiquesaving 8:31am:

*- If the J govt was a movie character it would be gollum/smeagol from Lord of the Rings Gollum: the Rings my precious rings, must have my precious Olympic Rings, the rings must have food! What food do my precious rings want? Spectators oh yes spectators young juicy fresh spectators! Smeagol: No, No the Covid will get them and more, the covid is bad, we must stop the covid we must keep people safe, at home,etc... - https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/new-zealand-loses-its-precious-'rings'-series-to-britain *

Agreed: A complete schizophrenic, split personality government!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I can't imagine at all, what could possibly go wrong. I mean, the epidemic has just started, we are at the beginning, the Olympics are a year away and so we have no experience and nothing to learn from.

Now let's listen to the song "we vaccinate so fast", followed by the song "we can handle the epidemic and we'll vaccinate a million people a day" and ending with the song "There are wise leaders in the LDP, those who don't like it can move to their own country". We will be accompanied by one of the many childish mascots created especially for this occasion.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Agree with @SteveMartin 9:46am - Perhaps* **The Jerk at the top obviously has his ‘special purpose’ confused with reality or, as suggested, “He hates these…” *kids.

“1 — Children, as with most of the population, are expendable human capital.

2 — The narrative about a virus being attributed to so many deaths is not scientifically correlated with public policies or edicts.”

as always, draw your own conclusions.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

This must be one of the most insane plans I've ever heard.

Hot on the heels of the prefectural governors floating the idea that lockdowns might actually be a good idea, we hear that the national government want to send 130,000+ kids to the stadia.

I'm sure we will hear the usual naysayers and apathetic people say 'yeah but kids are OK, they don't get it', or 'kids have a 99.99% recovery rate, so get over it' etc. etc. but it's not just about kids in stadia is it?

This plan will require bus drivers, taxi drivers, parents etc. to transport the kids to the stadia. It will, in most probability, require teachers to chaperone the kids during the day (1 teacher to 50 kids would require 2,600 teachers). The stadia need to put on more staff if people are actually going to be there compared to if they were empty - so staff on the turnstiles, staff in kiosks, stewards etc. Then, as people have been there there will have to be cleaning staff to clean up after. Spectators mean by law more medical staff are required in the stadia, along with ambulances.

There are probably many more examples, but just from the above you can see that a lot of adults are required - and therefore being put at risk - to have 130,000 kids in the stadia.

It's unnecessary. It's stupid.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Very very misinformed action to take. Reckless. Stupid. Just look at Alabama, for one.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Noting stirs up the JT commenters quite like a headline that includes both COVID and the Paralympics/Olympics in the same headline.

Just apply the same rules as what are already in place for spectators to attend Baseball, J League and Sumo. None of the commenters complain about those with the same vigor (if at all), so I assume they're happy with those arrangements.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Don't worry people. They're going to turn the virus off during the Paralympics. The children will be fine.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just apply the same rules as what are already in place for spectators to attend Baseball, J League and Sumo. None of the commenters complain about those with the same vigor (if at all), so I assume they're happy with those arrangements.

No, that is insane too.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Isn't it safer for children to be watching from home, remotely? If they want to see the other kids, they can use programs like Zoom, which shows all attendees . . . . .

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

HBJToday  10:05 am JST

Just apply the same rules as what are already in place for spectators to attend Baseball, J League and Sumo. None of the commenters complain about those with the same vigor (if at all), so I assume they're happy with those arrangements.

No, that is insane too.

Then why is there practically no one complaining about it? Where are the protesters?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

HBJToday  10:00 am JST

This must be one of the most insane plans I've ever heard.

Then you haven't really checked into the past history of the Japanese government.

The government knew about Minamata and said nothing for nearly 30 years just letting it go on, it knew about HIV tainted blood/blood products and said nothing and just let it be used denying they knew for 20 years until the documents were found showing the government knew all along.

Now we have covid the government knows the facts, tests as little as possible says one thing does another.

All of these have the same motives special interest groups and businesses profits and the refusal to admit to the people and the world Japan has a problem.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Pacific SauryToday  10:04 am JST

Don't worry people. They're going to turn the virus off during the Paralympics. The children will be fine.

No they will attend on weekends only because the virus in Tokyo takes the weekend off especially Sunday, at least it must be doing that with only 3,000 needing to be tested on Sundays.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Then why is there practically no one complaining about it? Where are the protesters?

because you can’t copy & paste protests like you can comments on JT

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

TokyoiteToday  10:03 am JST

Noting stirs up the JT commenters quite like a headline that includes both COVID and the Paralympics/Olympics in the same headline.

Haha, you can literally see their faces turning red & steam coming out of their nostrils - like a bull when he sees a red flag

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

UK9393Today  10:03 am JST

Very very misinformed action to take. Reckless. Stupid. Just look at Alabama, for one

Is that a serious question?

How long have you been in Japan?

99% of those running the PTA are monster mom's the kind that would make the lives of anyone contradicting them or the powers in charge a living Hell.

The nail that sticks out get hammered down and in cases like this the hammer is a sledgehammer.

Any non Japanese that says anything is labeled a foreigner trouble makers.

Welcome to Japan

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Insanity.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Then you haven't really checked into the past history of the Japanese government.

I'm well aware the Japanese government has history!

To be fair, I did say 'This must be one of the most insane plans I've ever heard.'

2 ( +3 / -1 )

For the 6 morons pictured at top, question for you all, Would YOU send your kids to an event in your home country when covid was at its PEAK to see some sports event, SERIOUS question!!!

I think I know the answer......SHAME on ALL of you for even THINKING this let alone actually wanting to do this, negligence doesnt remotely work for this kind of ""thinking""!!!!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

HBJToday  10:32 am JST

Then you haven't really checked into the past history of the Japanese government.

I'm well aware the Japanese government has history!

To be fair, I did say 'This must be one of the most insane plans I've ever heard.

That's fair, you did say "one of" I apologise if I caused any offense, none was intended.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Plans are being made to allow tens of thousands of school children to attend the Tokyo Paralympics despite the coronavirus delta variant spreading among teenagers and those even younger who are not vaccinated.

See why all of this lockdown talk is nonsense?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Euro soccer final in England turned out to be a super spreader event. 2,300 infected.

One of Japans biggest problems is self denial, and the inability to learn from others.

My kids are in the 6th grade, their school trip has been cancelled, the government is telling / asking schools to cancel these trips, but then invite thousands to this event.

Talk about one step forward, 3 steps backward land.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

”School visit to Paralympics" has been on my kids' school calendar since April.

So the report is misleading. Koike is not planning something new, she just does not want to be responsible for cancelling it. Koike said that parents should 「まず家庭で健康観察を」"First, observe your health at home" .....

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Will the kids sing Paparika at the event? I thought that was what NHK promoted that song for.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japanese government is really "skilled" at making stupid, illogical decisions. I could not make such poor decisions even if I tried.

What possible logic is there to cancel school kids from visiting the Olympics in July and then allow them to visit ParaOlympics when COVID numbers are multiples worse...

(I hope Suga's government/supporters have more losses than just Yokohama.)

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It seems to me most schools would cancel the participation plan there. Their parents will not let children go there anyway. Tokyo is under the state of emergency. All games should be cancelled in the first place.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan's government and Tokyo governor demand to cancel or postpone many school events as preventing infection. But they gother students to stadium.

Japan's Olympics supremacists are irrational.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Sure, let kids attend...with their parents! Why does this have to be some school trip where the kids sit on a crowded bus or crowded train, talk loudly to their classmates and then eat lunch somewhere crowded and take their masks off? Just let families who want to go...go!

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Foreigner In TokyoToday  10:47 am JST

When my children were in elementary and Jr high they went to fairly new and modern built schools/buildings.

Despite having wheelchair access everywhere, it was still a fight for the parents of the few disabled children that eventually attended to do so this included going to court.

These parents were regularly told their children would be better off is a special school.

As recently as 3 years ago a neighbour on the same area wanted his wheelchair bound daughter to attend the same public school his son was attending (and that my children previous attend) and again the ward and school officials tried everything to block it from happening up until he filed a complaint with the court.

Having lost multiple times before the ward quickly gave in.

So I stand by my view this is just a sad "zoo" outing except the exotic animals are people.

It is a great insult in my view towards the Paralympians.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

it just reeks of "a trip to the zoo".

It does, but to be fair, schools in Japan were closed during the Summer Olympics.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I mean what could go right?!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I suppose 100,000 children will arrive at the venue by themselves and their teachers and parents will stay home to help stem the virus? 

The decision-makers are so stupid here in Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Agree completely with Antiquesaving.

... this is just a sad "zoo" outing except the exotic animals are people.

Not only Japan, but if any country really wanted to integrate the handicapped with otherwise 'normal' people, there is no scientific reason why these Olympics have to be 'separate but equal'. Now where have we heard this phrase before?

Rules for sports and games are simply provisional social constructs. Other than constraints for minimizing cheating, sports provide us with a necessary illusion — the only place we can hope for a real 'meritocracy' ... and a little bit of luck.

What, in human nature or science, prevents a swimming team, ski jump team, or basketball team from requiring a handicapped member? Why, other than the goalie, are soccer players 'handicapped' in not using their hands? And why do golfers include 'handicaps' in their rankings, but not 'the' handicapped? These are just social conventions and conceits, driven by the hubris of the elite controlling these institutions.

IF the public health problem is being grossly exaggerated for perverse incentives (and I think it is), perhaps there is some merit in connecting children with the handicapped. They are already both connected in that they are marginalized from the majority of self-interested movers and shakers of our economy ... uh ... I mean 'society'.

But for those buying into the pandemic fear porn, by all means ... You gotta keep 'em separated'. Heck, might as well go 'Full Out New South Wales' ... advise neighbors to not talk with each other, arrest mothers for taking their kids to the beach and swimming without a mask, yadda, yadda, yadda.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

When you think things couldn’t get any dumber they hit a new high! Unbelievable!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Huh? My junior high school son who will be fully vaccinated like I am after today

Too many liars here. Unless you live in a place like Minato-ku, there's no way you or your kid would have access to the vaccines.

The vast majority of wards have vaccine appointments full, and a huge proportion of wards and cities have not yet even sent out the vouchers for people under 30. You cannot get a vaccine without a voucher unless you have serious connections.

Anyone who claims people getting access to vaccines are clearly just spreading government propaganda. Because normal people do not have access, and WILL not have access within this year. Government vaccination numbers have to be a lie. I know of literally no one who managed to get a vaccine appointment yet, with most not even having gotten the voucher. How is it possible that as many people as the government claim gotten vaccinated.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Steve MartinToday  11:32 am JST

I won't get into the rest but I agree to somethings.

If the Olympics have men and women categories why not add a third and just integrate the Paralympics into the regular Olympics?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

In a related project the Koike government will send 140,000 children to a local gun museum to inspect loaded guns so they can learn about firearm safety.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This Modest Proposal by Suga and Koike may become the ultimate Swiftian dead baby "joke." Tens of thousands of children, many unvaccinated, crammed together for hours is insane. What happens when they are twisty? Off come the masks, of course. It's going to be hell when they all have go to toilet.

“We endorse the initiative because we believe it is an important element of legacy by bringing school kids to the games,” [Andrew] Parsons said. “But of course, it is imperative these kids must come to the games in a safe way.”

There is no safe was to bring "tens of thousands" of children tp the Paralympics.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sending kids to the Paralympics would be a great learning experience for them. Living with Covid will also be a learning experience for them.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ooo! Great reference @jeancolmar to 'A Modest Proposal'.

The one fly in the ointment ... maybe the entitled elite making these decisions are either rock-paper-scissors stupid ... or they know something about this 'pandemic' that we don't.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Oh dear. I love this country. I'm often humbled by the lessons I learn from living here. I've often found myself being proven wrong by the contradictions I experience. Yet, I sit here thinking this can't be right.

The contagiousness of delta variant has been likened to chicken pox. I remember, my parents sticking me in a room with the kids from next door in order to catch chicken pox when I was still young. Maybe that's the idea with sticking all these kids in stadiums. Maybe these kid's immune systems will quickly learn to build antibodies etc. etc. etc ... that's great.

One concern though ... 40% of the population is fully vaccinated. What about the 60% who are still vulnerable? Just because we have made good progress towards building immunity recently doesn't mean it's a good idea to stress test the population?

But then, what do I know. I'm just an amateur virus pundit. I'm fully vaccinated, so I'm finding myself watching from a different perspective than I was a few weeks ago.

I really hope this a positive lesson Japan is about to teach me, yet I fear it might just be the most ridiculous disaster waiting to happen.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What an incredibly stupid and dangerous idea. The true (lack of) heart and compassion of certain people in power is on full display.

If any school allows just one child to go, the head of that school should fired for incompetence and forever ridiculed.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

At first I thought this was nuts but considering many of these kids are taking public transportation and being crammed into school rooms with limited ventilation anyway they may as well be outside. It's past the point of containment in Japan and would be good for the children.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

geronimo2006Today  11:52 am JST

At first I thought this was nuts but considering many of these kids are taking public transportation and being crammed into school rooms with limited ventilation anyway they may as well be outside. It's past the point of containment in Japan and would be good for the children

No children and never been an A

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

No idea what happened it just posted as I was typing.

geronimo2006Today  11:52 am JST

At first I thought this was nuts but considering many of these kids are taking public transportation and being crammed into school rooms with limited ventilation anyway they may as well be outside. It's past the point of containment in Japan and would be good for the children

I am guessing you have No children and never been an ALT.

Most children walk to school or in the country side use a bicycle.

Few Japanese schools have air-conditioning and most very rudimentary heating, windows are always open.

That was the first thing I noticed, unlike the concrete jail like schools back home, Japanese school tend to be very much open floor plan

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

like some kind of evil empire, it makes no sense

0 ( +2 / -2 )

God help the innocent children. They can watch it from TV or zoom and maybe cheer by zoom for different classes.

I don’t even think all children like to watch sports. And this is a pandemic!

I will pray for their safety. These kids will use the bathroom, touch things in the toilet etc.. when you have thousands unvaccinated children - no. Are all the escorts vaccinated? How about those in the stadium - are all workers vaccinated? None of the children are vaccinated.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

You couldn’t make it up……they should be thinking about keeping schools shut till the end of November when everyone ‘should’ have been vaccinated.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

GazmanToday  12:47 pm JST

You couldn’t make it up……they should be thinking about keeping schools shut till the end of November when everyone ‘should’ have been vaccinated.

Sounds simple right?

Assuming there's no impact on the mental health of children being locked up for next 3 months.

Also, how do we handle those where parents work in crucial sectors such as hospital workers, shop staff, engineers, law and order among many other jobs.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

AntiquesavingToday  11:39 am JST

Steve MartinToday  11:32 am JST

I won't get into the rest but I agree to somethings.

If the Olympics have men and women categories why not add a third and just integrate the Paralympics into the regular Olympics?

Logistics in the current format make it very difficult.

There are sports that exist in Paralympics and not the Olympics, but use the same venues. Also, many of the sports in the same category have slightly different requirements and so venues which are adapted to suit either Olympians or Paralympians. Also, they would have to expand the size of the Olympic village to accommodate the extra number of athletes if all there at the same time.

One way it could be done though would be to extend the period of the event. Rather than cram everything into 2 x 2 week events, they could extend it to run throughout for a 3-4 month period and then have some of the events run in parallel where it can be done.

Then we would not need such huge Olympic villages and can plan events for weather that suits them better (avoiding marathons in peak summer being an obvious example).

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Most of the schools in the city I live have absolutely zero accessibility. They don't even pretend to provide for people with disabilities. No wonder there is no opportunity to 'view (athletes) people with disabilities'. This is an odd country.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good observational / critical thinking skills there, Tokyoite.

My somewhat cynical guess is that those suggestions will be implemented only when those of high enough social status can further their power by capitalizing on those good ideas.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Instead of allowing these kids to attend, how about making an after-school activity where they watch the events (or highlights) on a large display, and then can speak via Zoom or Skype (etc) with some of the athletes, with an interpreter or translator. Make it an interactive, dynamic experience where these kids can actually learn from it, not just passively watch. I'm sure the athletes themselves would love to be able to directly communicate with kids and inspire them. And the kids would see that handicapped people are normal just like everyone else, and can ask about what it's like to face challenges and overcome them and to be in the Paralympics. This is something the government could have been planning and preparing for the entire year.

This would require people with creativity and vision to be in local and national government. Unfortunately it seems those people either don't exist, or have their spirit sucked out of them before they have any chance of being in a position where their views and ideas matter.

What an opportunity this Olympics could have been. I realize that the virus might have scuppered many of the intended plans, but seeing the general lack of flexibility and creativity to come up with new plans is just painful.

Of all the possibilities, the best idea they can come up with is 'send the kids to the stadia'. Pathetic.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@blahblah222

Too many liars here. Unless you live in a place like Minato-ku, there's no way you or your kid would have access to the vaccines.

Japan is not limited to Tokyo wards. Stop being insulting. And when you are at it, I would appreciate if you refrain to try to discourage people to even try to be vaccinated by going around saying it is not possible to. It is difficult more in some places than other, it is like a lottery, it is tiring, it is disheartening, ... but you will manage to get one (and do not forgot to hold national government accountable to the mismanagement of the situation).

It is not new that in some places vaccine distribution include youngsters since weeks :

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14369992

~=~=~

Agree with most : stupid idea, mixed message, falsy justification, ... Let's hope/pray/whatever that no problem arise. Wonder from which minority group they will end up picking a member to bear the responsibility if thing go full south and bucket passing can not cut it anymore.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan is one of the very few, probably the only leading country, with a declining birth rate and negative population growth.

For a country with a reputation of caring for its children, this move is totally unbelievable.

In fact, Japan's entire handling of the pandemic is so incompetent at best, it makes one wonder if the plan is to decimate the population totally. Nothing Japan has done makes sense otherwise.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Sure, that makes sense. Let the unvaccinated go!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If you were a conspiracy theorist, you would probably say "they want the children to be as much as virus carrier as possible so they can push their experimental vaccine on 12 years and lower" but if you are not, then you are probably wondering "What is happening here ?!?!?". anyway, the good news is that if it is so safe for our children to attend that unnecessary event by 10 thousands of them certainly we do not need any lockdown in Tokyo.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

This decision can’t be politically popular for Koike and actually seems to fly in the face of what I’ve read so far on her Covid stance.It’s interesting that she was first up in the story and the IPC figureheads went second, but it doesn’t really say who is the true force behind the decision-making. 

And so, I wonder if key information is missing from the story, that if included would make the story make sense. For example, I would not be surprised if in the contract between the IPC and Japan/Tokyo a certain number of children were required to attend. In a non-Covid year, this would help the Olympics’ image.

If a contract were the true reason, again, this would show how ugly reality really is. It would mean they would be risking the lives of this future generation to make the Paralympics look good/wholesome and so the IPC could maintain their brand image and deflect the fact that this is more about money. Just a theory, right?

What I found out was not a contract, but a handbook. This is from page 40 of the 2013 IPC Handbook under section 5.4.2 EDUCATION PROGRAMME :

https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/document/141113151011315_2014_10_07+Sec+i+Chapter+3+Paralympic+Games+Principles.pdf

EDUCATION PROGRAMME 5.4.2

An education programme aiming to enhance awareness about Paralympic sport and Paralympic Games in a national scale shall be implemented, co-ordinated by the OCOG and the education authorities. 

In addition, the OCOG shall organise a special programme and co-ordinate the necessary activities, in co-operation with the Host NPC and the educational authorities, to attract school children to attend the Paralympic Games, as part of the educational curriculum. Such attendance is important to develop social skills such as disability awareness, positive attitudes toward social inclusion and tolerance to diversity.

I can’t find this in a newer hand book version, but if someone has the time to look? This news story would make ‘logical’ sense for the reason they are going through with it, if it were a ‘rule’ (not to say that I agree with the decision making). Maybe this information is buried in a non disclosure agreement now?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Thank you Steve Martin.

It occurred to me that while dead Irish babies could be safely eaten (or allowed to grow up to write poetry) there is nothing useful to be had from a dead COVID-19 baby. And with the population drop, sending the little ones to the Pararlympics would a one shot affair bringing very little return. Or no return at all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good digging, Mizu no Oto.

Allowing school kids to attend the Paralympics makes perfect sense ... if the ruling elite know also knows something about the pandemic that we don't. But of course, they would not lie to us. Concentrations of political power and economic wealth do not conspire to further their interests. A steady stream of news and comments assures us that is not possible.

'Cognitive dissonance' is just a myth. The official narrative and what we are told is all there is to it, and we all know what is the 'right' thing to do. Let's just consider this as a 'one-off WFT? aberration' policy of nonsense, and go back to watching the high school baseball stars and talking about strange weather. ;-)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

You know what the definition of insanity is? Trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

If the government is going to let throngs of unvaccinated kids who naturally can't stop touching everything in sight before touching their own face and others, then just lift the damn SoE already and let everybody go about their daily lives.

At this point, the incompetency of J-gob with regards to the pandemic is not even mildly amusing anymore; it's just dangerous.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Just a guess, but as soon as the Paralympics are finished ... there will be an 'unexpected' spike in false positives ... uh ... I mean 'cases', and/or a new, even more dangerous variant, and further calls for the government to be given further extra-legal 'emergency power' to protect the public health.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

had to think for a second whether today was April's fools... and I wish it was....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's kind of like Koike, Suga, Kono, and others sat down together and said, "Now, what's the absolute worst possible thing we could do right now... cause I wanna do it!"

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@hooktrunk2

Where did your highschool son got the vaccination? I assume not in Japan.

My daughter 14 received the vaccination paper but will not get yet since she is under 20 years old. (Aichi)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Where did your highschool son got the vaccination? I assume not in Japan.

My 13 yr old Jr. High school child is fully vaccinated, and had it done in Japan.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@ Steve Martin

Thanks, Steve Martin. Those in power like to do what it takes to hold onto it. ‘The end justifies the means.’ is their compass. Koike seems to be stuck in the vortex of this dirty business.

However so far, I haven’t seen an article of who we truly have to thank for these Olympics and that would be Former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara. I have not the foggiest idea why.

BTW, loved you in Roxanne. a great date movie!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Isn't this illogical?!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Let’s not forget the many millions in contracts with tour companies to provide travel, food and lodging. “Cancel” was never in vocabulary.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't know what the worry is today according to the Tokyo government there are only 2447 new cases!

Isn't that great they only needed to test 2,685 people on Sunday evening is just fine folks, so keep on walking nothing to see here.

( Ok sarcasm off the numbers are real just got the release)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@blahblah222 You can think what you want, but I did IN FACT get my first shot of the Pfizer vaccine on July 21 at the Swimming Sports Center near Takenotsuka in Adachi-ward in Tokyo and my second shot of Pfizer just yesterday at 3:15 PM at 足立区立第六中学校 junior high school also in Adachi-ward.   I am 55 years old, so I got my voucher at the end of July. I was lucky to get both my appointments right away. They filled up within a couple days and the government soon after announced they were freezing all new appointments until mid August because of lack of doses.  

We were surprised that our junior high school son and high school daughter got their vouchers the very next week, but like I mentioned above we couldn't make their appointments through our local ward, so we asked our family doctor who is a pediatrician in Adachi-ward.  

As we speak, my wife is taking our 13 year old son to get his 2nd shot.  

@Albert Our 16 yr old daughter will get her second shot on the 26th of this month at our pediatrician's second office near Nishiarai which is along the Tokyo Skytree line in Adachi-ku, Tokyo. If I am allowed, it is called Ando Clinic(at least the Takenotsuka clinic is), but he is only giving shots to 12yr olds through Junior high school kids first. My daughter got hers because of a cancelation.

My wife got her first vaccine 10 days ago through the company she works for in Kanda, Tokyo. Her second one won't be until mid September.  

This link might be useful for those younger than 39 wishing to get their vaccine: https://japantoday.com/category/national/vaccination-site-for-younger-people-to-open-in-tokyo%27s-shibuya

Also, some friends have gotten their vaccines through this link: https://b-vaccination.jp/

Moderator, I am sorry this is off topic, but I am replying to some inquiries above.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Note: I wouldn't just show up at the clinic I mentioned above expecting to get your high school child vaccinated there. Even our doctor said that there probably wouldn't be any cancelations. But there were. We were LUCKY. I'm not sure if her luck had anything to do with our being his faithful patients for more than 16 years. Haha. I doubt it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unchaperoned? With parents? Teachers?

People still believe the virus doesn't affect children? Currently the world's number one hot spot of new infections is Israel where 80% of the population was fully vaccinated in March. It is thought immunity lasts 6 months. Delta seems to infect 50% of the vaccinated. By the way, don't read me wrong, I think vaccinations should be mandatory.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Children can’t spread the virus?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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