Hi! I’m Nathan and welcome back to Ninja monkey. The place for all things related to Japan,
I do the research so that you don’t have to and put all the readily available information into
one place. So, if you are a potential tourist or wanting to travel for any other reason,
don’t miss any future updates by making sure you Subscribe and hit the like button too. Team,
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Although I had contemplated taking a break as a result of the upcoming elections not bringing
much notable travel news. Today’s update will not only look at the situation in Japan but also
this week’s sad news story that you’ve already probably heard about but nonetheless important
to Highlight. Shinzo Abe’s assassination and what this could mean moving forward for foreigners
entering the country. So help out the video and channel by watching all the way to the end!
In a country known for safety, Shinzo Abe’s assassination during a political rally speech
is still creating shockwaves across the nation and worldwide too. Abe was pronounced dead at
a hospital in Nara from wounds to his neck and chest. A tragedy that will have many
people questioning what went wrong in a country that has very little gun violence.
For reference, In 2018, Japan, a country of around 125 million people, only 9 deaths
were recorded from firearms -- compared with 39,740 in the United States that same year,
according to data compiled by the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.
Nancy Snow, Japan director of the International Security Industrial Council,
said the shooting would change Japan forever.
"It's not only rare, but it's really culturally unfathomable," she told CNN.
"The Japanese people can't imagine having a gun culture like we have in the United States.
This is a speechless moment. I really feel at a loss for words."
Although random acts of violence do occur in Japan, gun violence is a rare occurrence
and Political assassinations are even less common: with the yakuza’s fatal shooting of
the mayor of Nagasaki in 2007 being another example and indeed another very rare event.
In fact, getting hold of a firearm in Japan is a very difficult process
and very few guns are available in Japan as purchases require strict checks. To
qualify for a firearm license, potential arms owners must attend an all-day class,
pass a written test and complete a shooting-range evaluation with an accuracy of at least 95%.
Prospective buyers must also undergo a mental health check up and drug tests along with a
background check -- including a review of their criminal record, personal debt,
involvement in organized crime and relationships with family and friends.
In the case of this assassination, it seems that the assassin’s firearm
might be home-made judging from the photos that have been made available from the crime scene.
Although investigations continue and motives are not clearly known
at this moment in time. It seems that a 41-year-old man that I choose not name,
told police that he initially planned to attack a leader of a religious group
but also intended to kill Abe, believing he had promoted the religious group in Japan,
Police searched his home, finding what is believed to be explosives and homemade guns.
In an act of determination to show that acts of violence would not stop democracy,
politicians continued campaigning on Saturday,
"We absolutely must not tolerate violence during an election to suppress speech,"
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told around 600 supporters
in central Japan's Yamanashi region, according to local media.
Abe became Japan’s youngest postwar prime minister when he took office 2006
at the age of 52. But his first term ended in resignation for health reasons
only a year after his election. He then returned to power in 2012,
staying in office until 2020 where health reasons once again caused him to step down.
His political views were at times divisive, better known for his economic strategy, dubbed Abenomics
and his efforts to put Japan firmly on the world stage,
including creating close ties with U.S. President Trump.
Abe was and continued to be a proponent for Japan’s reopening,
the pandemic stalled Abe’s strategy that sought to revive local economies
with an influx of foreign tourists that was a crucial part of his “Abenomics”.
It’s important to note that it was Abe’s administration that set a target
of 40 million overseas visitors annually setting a precedent for future leaders,
and Abe also encouraged regional cities to open new ports, increase international flights
and approve new hotel construction aiming to enhance the tourism product of Japan.
Since the launch of Abenomics in late 2012, Abe brought in reforms including
relaxed visa requirements that helped to almost quadruple the number of foreign
visitors to nearly 32 million visitors a year before the pandemic hit.
And even more recently,
Abe had been calling for a downgrade in the legal status of the Covid virus in Japan.
A change that would effectively mean making the virus no different than the seasonal flu.
More recently Abe has also been one of the highest-profile backers of softening restrictions
in the country. Even though he had a rocky start at the beginning of the pandemic, and he was at
times blamed for a lack of firm direction. From the handling of the Diamond Princess very early on
in the pandemic to the delayed Olympics. It is no doubt that in many aspects Japan is a better place
for foreigners and tourism would not have been the same without him. My condolences and thought’s go
out to his family and the whole of the Nation, regardless of political views. This is a violent
tragedy that should not have occurred. There is no place for violence regardless of your views.
I’m not really into politics and probably only looked at the tip of the iceberg,
likely missing other key aspects, if so, please let me know down there
in the comment section! I look forward to reading your insights and thoughts.
Team, just a quick side note. I’ve been compiling a list of misconceptions about Japan,
so perhaps you could reply to the pinned comment letting me know what some misconceptions might be.
Or what your image of Japan is.. perhapse it’s a misconception! .. for example ‘I imagine Japan
is …. Very clean, or I imagine Japan will be very futuristic’. I look forward to reading
what you have to add! You might be featured in a future video! anyway.. Back to the update.
So let’s look at the vaccine and covid situation in Japan as it
could potentially be part of Japan’s unlocking strategy and therefore
important to highlight especially at the start of what looks like a new wave of infections.
As from July 8th, 62.1% of the population have now received their third
dose. And crusially for Japan’s aging population
90% of those aged 65 years or older have now received their booster shots too.
In fact 5 1,694,79 (4th) Doses have also been administered that
actually equals 3.8% of the population and perhaps signals a start accelerating
4th doses since this is actually double the number compared to last week.1
Tokyo’s hospital occupancy now stands at 31.2% of standard covid beds in use
an 18.9% increase on last week’s update, that’s 1,577 patients admitted into hospital in Tokyo.
And, in terms of severe patients there are 24 in the capital, that equals to 5.7% of
the 420 beds set aside for severe patients in Tokyo. Also an increase on last week’s stats.
Team, cases continue to rise in the capital and nationwide with this being the 22nd day in a row
that cases are rising with the the BA.5 variant expected to replace the BA.2 variant
as the dominant strain in the country by the end of July.
Other countries such as Portugal and South Africa have shown signs of having recently
overcome the BA.5 wave of infections and are now showing signs of a reduction in cases,
so just like previous waves Japan will cover come this one.
Team, the elections are a day away as from the recording of this update
and likely done with by the time you are watching this, therefore
it will certainly be interesting to see what the days ahead bring and as always, I will
continue informing and hopefully help you make informed decisions for any future travel plans.
According to The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
tourism in Japan will provide a significant boost to the nation’s economic recovery next year,
with its GDP contribution set to reach near pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, said:
“After the pain suffered by Japan’s travel and tourism,
the outlook for the future is much brighter. Following two years of restrictions to mobility,
which damaged the sector, there are reasons for optimism as the sector is finally seeing the
light at the end of the tunnel. But there is still work to be done. Removing testing and facilitating
international travel will further boost the sector’s growth and fast-track the recovery.”
Team, right now, although tempting is not the time to ask “when will tourism reopen
for individual travellers” Not only does the news of the shooting eclipse this question
but the elections also means a pause in information. I do however remain hopeful
that the next week or two will bring about more information and hopefully clarity.
As always I look forward to reading your thoughts and questions in the
comment an section and hopefully seeing you in the chat section of a future live stream
where we not only discuss Japan’s border situation but also talk about Japan related topics too!
Team, there are also various ways of supporting the channel and keeping it going
like, becoming part of the patreon gang or making a one off donation by using YouTube’s Super
Thanks feature that is kind of like a super chat but for normal videos. Or making a one
off Paypal donation too. Special thanks to this week’s Super thanks supporters and Paypal gang!
Also, team, if you don’t want to help financially, that perfectly fine,
hitting the like button also helps!
Anyway Team, thanks so much for sticking with me through this journey! And if you’ve
watched all the way to the end include a 🗼 Tokyo Tower Emoji to prove it!! (I’m really
enjoying placing this easteregg at the end of the video and seeing who’s been paying attention! 
Stay positive team! (but covid negative) Till next time, I’ll continue researching and keeping
an eye on all updates until the next video! So.. till then, Arigatou, gracias, thanks bye!
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