tech

Japanese gov't to release coronavirus contact-tracing app in May

34 Comments

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

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

34 Comments
Login to comment

Fully support this. It is not the time for the privacy activists to be kicking up the normal fuss. Sooner the better.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

It will only mean anything if the authorities increase testing! This app is useless if they only use if for people who have been tested positive!

14 ( +17 / -3 )

@theResident

Fully support this.

What good is an app for this type of situation when you can't get tested? I would understand the need for this app if they were approving more people for testing. But when testing is still highly selective and restrictive, the app doesn't really seem that useful.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

I like this too, but I don't think people will install it citing privacy concerns. I will definitely install it though (infected or not)

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Brilliant.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I certainly will not be installing this.

These apps do not function on iPhone devices anyway due to the power management of the bluetooth layer. The concept is fine in theory, but the hardware does not play out.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

As long as it volunteer, I agree.

If they force you to install it, I disagree!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

@zichi

I hope you are right!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think this is a great idea but the problem japan faces is they are not testing enough like the USA is and the medical system here is almost useless during COVID-19 as the Hospitals won't and are scared to treat anyone with COVID-19. You are lucky to find a hospital and even a chance to get tested for this Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Virus. I understand the fear myself, I wouldn't want to get in contact with a COVID-19 patient too as I fear for my life as well. But, a tracing app wont help anything unless they perform testing at the rate of other countries and Japan is falling behind in this pandemic. Unfortunate situation here.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

These apps do not function on iPhone devices anyway due to the power management of the bluetooth layer.

Is that true? The articles below suggest differently:

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/28/uk_coronavirus_google_apple_api/

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-12271

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"It is an extremely effective way" to prevent the spread of the disease," information technology policy minister Naokazu Takemoto told a recent press conference, adding steps are needed to ensure that user privacy is protected and public health centers are involved.

Right, because testing people clearly was not going to happen in any large scale in Japan. Talk about epic laziness and wanting to control the release of information.

Also how does telling you long after the fact help prevent the spread of the disease if people are NOT being tested in large numbers? How do they know until much, much later? This is yet another waste of time and effort but I have to wonder if there isn't another reason that this 'spyware' is being launched by you installing it on your phone.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Well - We know unless we are basically at deaths door we won't be tested here so I would like to know if I have been in close contact with someone who is sick and DOES get a test. I'm doing my very best to stay away from anywhere remotely busy but if this is the best it's going to get, so be it.

I'm sorry but conspiracies that ' there are other reasons' for this. I call B.S. The country has failed us so far - I'm prepared to give anything a go.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well - We can stay home and try to not leave the house for groceries and dental/medical checkups but what about the super markets that shelves food and supplies and the grocery plastic bags? They could also be contaminated with the virus and you will be brining it back into your home. How to stay home safe and not go groceries shopping is probably more effective. I think the app wants to trace every move and location you been prior to getting an autopsy once they find us dead in our home because of the low probability rate of getting tested and treated.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is Japan - where people very rarely use their real names, or profile pictures of themselves, on their own personal social media accounts (Line, Facebook etc.). I have a hard time believing that anyone will willingly admit to having tested positive to an app that will then continue to trace their every movement.

It's a good idea, which could be very effective in a society where people would be willing to 'share' such information. But I doubt very much that will be the case here in Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you don’t trust the app, don’t download it. Problem solved!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"China is installing surveillance cameras outside people's front doors ... and sometimes inside their homes"

"https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/27/asia/cctv-cameras-china-hnk-intl/index.html"

Japan should do a China.

I'm sure there wouldn't be any objections from most JT gaijin; after all don't you claim that Japan is a dictatorship, Abe is the Dear Leader, etc, etc?

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

And I think if it enables me to travel more freely anytime over the next year then I'll be very happy to be tracked. If it meant the difference to be able to visit aged parents abroad AND be able to return to Japan I think some of you may have a different replies.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What use is this when there’s no access to testing?

Even if you are infected, you need to first be able to get through the phone to reach the government health office, since only the government can order tests rather than doctors. Even if you get through, you have to pray you win the lottery and make the government’s daily quota to receive a test.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

An app isn't going to protect anyone if you can only test around 300 people a day, Japan needs to expand and allow more testing of more people.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why would the app be of no use if testing is limited?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

i@n - Why would the app be of no use if testing is limited?

Because only those who test positive are registered in the app.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

All companies will be asked to strongly promote it, meaning most will use it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

They should embed the application for the covid19 stimulus handout for individuals in the contract tracing app

0 ( +1 / -1 )

OK, let's see the connection between the company which produced this app and donations to the LDP.

And how much of our money has been thrown at it.

Will it beat the 46.6 billion the LDP stung us for Abenomasks?

And I'm not letting Nippon Kaigi into my phone without a good reason.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Intrusively useless in Japan considering the zero testing situation!

At best a gimmick "wow" technology by bureaucrats to justify their jobs.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

albaleoToday  05:18 pm JST

These apps do not function on iPhone devices anyway due to the power management of the bluetooth layer.

Is that true? The articles below suggest differently:

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/28/uk_coronavirus_google_apple_api/

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-12271

(I'm not sure how to quote messages here)

Yeah, try this article: https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-contact-tracing-government-apps-vs-apple-google-covid-19-2020-4#unlike-the-new-tech-from-apple-and-google-its-more-difficult-to-get-third-party-bluetooth-apps-to-work-on-iphones-and-apple-has-signaled-that-its-unwilling-to-change-that-3

[iPhones' software prevents them from making Bluetooth contact with other devices unless they're unlocked with a Bluetooth app open. That means people using a government-developed contact tracing app would need to leave their phone unlocked with the app running at all times for it to work.]

Other sources state the same, but honestly I cant be bothered looking for them. I'm an iOS developer, I could write a good contact tracing app, but unless your phone is unlocked, screen lit, app running - then it won't work.

It can work if Apple write it into a firmware update as part of iOS, but it will not work as an App.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Only public officials will be allowed to release the information that a user has been diagnosed with the virus.

What? Liar. You'll be hacked ~

will not keep track /OF/ their geolocation data /typo in text/

What? Liar.

"It will only be meaningful if everyone uses the app, so we will make efforts to promote it,"

Are you going to force all the kiddies and the grandparents to buy a phone and wifi so you have a job even if they don't want your app?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Mat,

Thanks for the info. You know more than me.

That means people using a government-developed contact tracing app would need to leave their phone unlocked with the app running at all times for it to work.

While I'm not familiar with the details, that seems to be an issue.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

To prevent misuse, only public officials will be allowed to release the information that a user has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Japan's track record with privacy and cyber security is, well.. less than stellar shall we say.

If this app is, in any way, forced/pressured upon people - or people are with the app are given preferential treatment, my phone will either be discarded or never leave my home.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Turn off your location services and bluetooth, this is orwelliean...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Orwellian may be the new norm if you even want some of our freedoms to travel returned. I don't like ot any more than you but I WILL get to visit family outside Japan.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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