＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49）さん / X
1. Isn’t it time to issue a “state of emergency”?
In recent days, the number of “COVID-19 pneumonia” infections in Tokyo has been rapidly increasing, and it’s only a matter of time before it reaches triple digits. Cluster infections are also rapidly increasing in Osaka and other prefectures in the Kansai region.
Osaka Governor Yoshimura and Tokyo Governor Koike have both recently expressed their support for the government to issue a “state of emergency.”
The “advisory committee” that the prime minister consults with before issuing a state of emergency appears to be in near-consensus. Satoshi Kamata, a standing director of the Japan Medical Association and a member of the advisory committee, said, “Most people are of the opinion that it would be better to declare a state of emergency after an explosive spread of infections has occurred, since it would be too late.”
Fifteen countries and regions, including the United States, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, have issued “states of emergency” or “emergency declarations,” and France and Germany have also issued “stay-at-home orders.”
I believe that many people now agree that Japan should issue a “state of emergency” as a nation.
However, for some reason, Prime Minister Abe keeps repeating, “We are currently holding on just fine, and we are not in a situation where we need to declare a state of emergency. However, if we let our guard down even a little, it would not be surprising if the infections suddenly spread at any time. We are on the brink of collapse.”
2. Why the Prime Minister is cautious about declaring a state of emergency
I believe the Prime Minister fears that issuing a state of emergency would deal a major blow to the economy, leading to employment insecurity, mass unemployment, and a stock market crash, wiping out the successes of “Abenomics.” Perhaps he’s concerned that this would expose the Abe administration to harsh criticism and cast a dark cloud over his administration.
He may also be keen to avoid criticism of the various restrictions on private rights that could occur.
He has made it clear that even if a state of emergency is declared, a France-style lockdown (city lockdown) cannot be implemented.
Rather, he seems to believe that Japan can prevent the rapid spread of infections by simply requesting the entire population to “refrain from going out.”
However, I believe the Prime Minister’s thinking is naive. Rather, I believe that now is the time to issue a state of emergency without hesitation.
Protecting the lives, property, and health of the people is the government’s most important responsibility, and I believe that countermeasures to a major economic hit should be considered separately.
Quick fixes like “two cloth masks per household” (the so-called “Abenomasks”) are no good. I believe a “state of emergency” should be declared immediately, along with bold economic measures such as financial payments and compensation for business closures.
Since masks became unavailable in stores, many people have been using creative methods such as lining the inside of disposable non-woven masks with gauze to replace the gauze, or making “homemade masks” out of handkerchiefs or paper napkins. The distribution of Abenomasks this time is neither timely nor appropriate.
As an aside, the article published by Asahi Shimbun Digital on April 2nd with the headline “Are cloth masks effective? WHO ‘does not recommend them under any circumstances'” was a malicious headline intended to provide ammunition for attacking the Abe administration. While this might be acceptable in a weekly photo magazine, it is “extremely inappropriate and inaccurate for reporting from one of Japan’s three major newspapers.”
The WHO statement is “intended for experts and medical professionals.” At the end of the article, an expert states, “If the goal is to prevent transmission to others, not wearing a mask is not an option.” However, given that many people only read the headlines (headline readers), this statement is likely to lead to misunderstandings.
3. Pros and Cons of a State of Emergency
(1) Pros
① Requests for self-restraint alone are inevitably ineffective because they are not backed by financial compensation. However, by clearly stating financial compensation and issuing a state of emergency declaration, it becomes easier to obtain cooperation, such as disclosing the names of establishments that are the source of cluster infections, and to secure cooperation in closing restaurants, accommodations, and tourism-related businesses.
② It will impress upon the entire public that the novel coronavirus pneumonia is an extremely frightening pandemic, and now is the time for everyone to cooperate in preventing the spread of infection.
③ It will facilitate swift and appropriate implementation of measures, such as temporarily converting hotels and corporate facilities into medical facilities and prioritizing the deployment of doctors, nurses, and medical equipment to areas with widespread infections, to prevent the collapse of the medical system.
④ Once an area is designated as subject to a state of emergency declaration, prefectural governors will be able to request, at their discretion, requests for people to refrain from going out and holding events, and for restrictions on the use of schools and entertainment facilities.
(2) Disadvantages
① Financial burdens will be incurred, such as compensation for business closures and compensation for wages for employees during business closures.
② There is a risk of widespread restrictions on private rights, excessive state control, and abuse of state power.
4. Legal basis and specific details of the “State of Emergency Declaration”
(1) Legal Basis
On March 13, 2020, an amendment to the Act on Special Measures for Novel Influenza Countermeasures was passed and came into effect on March 14.
This amendment allows Japan to issue a “state of emergency” declaration regarding “novel coronavirus pneumonia.”
(2) Specifics
Once Prime Minister Abe issues a “state of emergency,” “prefectural governors in the designated areas can instruct citizens to refrain from going out and even request or instruct schools to close.”
Measures such as “road closures,” “train and bus service suspensions,” and “mandatory stay-at-home orders,” as seen in “lockdowns” overseas, are not permitted.
① Measures to Prevent the Spread of Infection
– Requests to Refrain from Going Out
– Restrictions on the Use of Schools and Entertainment Venues
– Cancellation of Events
② Measures to Secure the Medical System
– Obligations to Provide Medical Care and Distribute Pharmaceuticals
– Expropriation of Land and Buildings for the Opening of Temporary Medical Facilities
③ Measures to Stabilize People’s Lives
– Orders to Transport Emergency Supplies, Including Vaccines
– Orders to Sell Certain Supplies
5. Points to Note When Declaring a State of Emergency
It would be pointless to issue this declaration if it causes anxiety or panic among the public, so I hope that the details of the declaration will be explained to the public in an easy-to-understand manner.
I would also like the government to issue a warning to the public to avoid causing unnecessary fear or panic that leads to hoarding and panic buying.