＜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
The global pandemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) continues, and in Japan, nosocomial infections and outbreaks continue to occur in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as in public institutions such as city halls, ward offices, and police stations.
Amid this situation, attention has been drawn to the fact that “zero cases of infection have been reported among the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel who participated in the relief efforts on the cruise ship Diamond Princess.”
It is also noteworthy that “the Japan Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital, which is accepting 220 confirmed cases, still has zero nosocomial infections.”
1. Public Relations and Relief Activities by the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces
(1) Joint Staff Office Website（統合幕僚監部のホームページ）
In response to the spread of COVID-19 pneumonia, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which have been providing guidance on prevention measures to local governments and other organizations, have posted on the Joint Staff Office website key points for infection prevention, such as “how to make disinfectant ethanol using commercially available ingredients,” “how to separate areas within a building where infected people use the equipment from other areas,” and “how to remove gloves and masks.”
Defense Minister Kono stated, “We have received many requests for educational guidance (on prevention) from local governments. By publishing these guidelines, we hope they will also be useful in preventing infection in everyday life.”
This is certainly SDF-style know-how that can be used as a reference not only by local governments but also by the general public.
(2) Relief Efforts on the Cruise Ship “Diamond Princess” and Other Aid
Since late January, the Ministry of Defense has been conducting relief and support activities on the cruise ship “Diamond Princess” and at temporary accommodations for people returning from China on government-chartered flights.
A total of 13,300 SDF personnel were involved in activities such as collecting PCR test samples and serving meals. However, due to strict protective measures, not a single case was reported during the relief and support activities.
2. Protective Equipment to Prevent SDF Members from Infecting or Contaminating with COVID-19
Personal equipment includes “chemical protective gear.” Chemistry departments are equipped with chemical protective gear that offers higher performance than standard protective gear. Non-woven protective suits have also been introduced, and were worn at the nuclear power plant accident and the Diamond Princess cruise ship incident. The set also includes goggles, N95 masks, and gloves.
The reason there were “zero infections” at the cruise ship relief site was because personnel wore the full range of personal protective equipment, and because they thoroughly followed established procedures, such as donning and doffing protective gear in pairs.
Each and every member of the Self-Defense Forces was fully equipped, and command and control was exercised over the operation of putting on and taking off their gear correctly, without touching the outside of their gear. A crisis management system was also put in place to protect the lives of members of the Self-Defense Forces.
3. Preventive measures to prevent SDF members from contracting or being contaminated by the coronavirus
The thoroughness of individual infection prevention measures appears to be largely due to the education provided to members of the Self-Defense Forces. Working and living in communal settings at garrisons and bases means infectious diseases can easily spread.
From the moment they join the Self-Defense Forces, new recruits are thoroughly instructed on hand-washing and gargling to prevent infection. Upon entering the dining hall, there is a hand-washing station, and the route is designed so that members cannot receive their meals unless they have washed their hands.
The Self-Defense Forces have long practiced hand-washing techniques, such as carefully washing under their fingernails and thumbs, which we have only recently begun to consciously practice.
It may be a good idea to incorporate these Self-Defense Force-style prevention techniques into our long-term stay-at-home lifestyle.