In today’ video we will explore the fact that cases are going up in Japan and investigate the
way Japan is seemingly handling this. What will rising cases actually mean for potential tourists
and a reopening of Japan’s borders and what might we expect next?
Hi! I’m Nathan and welcome back to Ninja monkey. The place for all things related to Japan,
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Today’s update was prepared a little earlier than usual as I’ll be attending my cousins wedding
and I really wanted to put something out, so please take into account that things
might have developed since the release of this video... I will however try my best to
update on the community tab and on discord if any noteworthy information develops.
A new wave of covid cases appears to be spreading throughout Japan, and the Japanese
people are being asked to be careful ahead of an upcoming long weekends and school vacations.
In fact, Japan’s cases are surging to levels that have not been seen since earlier this year,
with Tokyo recording nearly 17,000 new cases on Wednesday and Thursday,
the highest since February and national cases continued to rise above the 90,000 mark.
Infact Japan hit a cumulative 10 million cases this week too.
"We had a total 94,466 new cases reported nationwide yesterday, and newly-infected patients
have increased by 2.14-fold compared to the last week, and we are seeing a rapid expansion,"
chief cabinet secretary Matsuno told a news conference.
And just to show how far reaching the virus is
and how it does not discriminate from royalty to politician and normal folk like us.
Princess Yuriko, the oldest living member of the imperial family who is 99,
has also been infected with the virus.
As from the recording of this update, It is reported that Princes Yuriko,
currently has mild symptoms with coughing.
Three staff members who take care of the Princess also tested positive for
the virus on Wednesday demonstrating just how contagious this strain seems to be.
Additionally, another important figure and someone that is mentioned quite a bit on
this channel due to his ideas of opening the border and strengthening the economy,
Taro Kono who is prominent Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker
also tested positive for COVID on Tuesday, and is isolating at home,
It is said that Kono attended the wake of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
which was held in Tokyo on Monday.
Team, although numbers are climbing and Japan is certainly in its 7th wave,
chief cabinet secretary Matsuno also told a news conference that hospital bed usage remained low,
and the number of serious cases and deaths were also remaining low.
The positive news for now though,
is that there is currently no need for any restrictions on movement.
“I said that if everyone does what they can do,
there is no need at this point to impose movement restrictions,”
Omi said after meeting with Prime Minister Kishida earlier this week
And in terms of tourism, currently the only hints and clues come from what’s happening domestically
in Japan. Land and transport minister Tetsuo Saito, has said that this is not the time to start
the system of support and subsidies for domestic travel previously known as the Go-To Campaign.
Additionally, Prime Minister Kishida in his latest news conference on Thursday has announced
that the government will expand eligibility for a fourth shot to include medical workers.
“To protect the elderly and those at higher risk of becoming seriously ill,
and to ensure there are enough health care workers available,
about 8 million medical workers and nursing facility staff will receive a fourth shot,”
Kishida said in a news conference.
It is interesting to note that 80% of those in their teens, 20s, and 30s have received
two shots of the vaccine but only about 3-5% have received their third booster shot.
What is it like in your country team? Would you say that younger people are more reluctant to
receive their third shot too? Have they even been given the opportunity where you live?
Kishida has importantly repeated Omi’s statement that the government currently has
no plans to impose a state of emergency, quasi-emergency
or other measures designed to discourage normal activities which is an incredibly positive step
and demonstrates that the government is not quite reactionary when it comes to the virus anymore.
Earlier in the day, tourism minister Saito said that the national travel subsidy program that
was supposed to run from mid-July until the end of August has finally officially been postponed.
With Saito concluding that now was not the best time to restart a program
designed to encourage large groups of domestic travelers to cross prefectural borders.
“There were strong expectations among those involved in the tourism
and transportation sector for the national discount program.
But considering the infection situation, we had no choice but to postpone," …
… “We’ll implement the program as soon as the infection situation improves,"
he added, without providing a timeline.
This is what Saito told reporters at a News Conference on Thursday.
Team, I think that there are two very specific indicators that we can learn from here,
This is obviously my own speculation though and I’d love to know your thoughts on this one!
Firstly, It is unlikely that any sort of relaxation for further tourism will come
until “the infection situation improves”
this is what Saito said when referring to domestic tourism crossing prefectural borders,
and lets face it; If Japan is to discourage their own citizens from widespread travel then
any form of inbound tourism will likely be off the cards until this happens domestically first.
Additionally, no timeline for the reinstating of the previously known go-to campaign has
been given, and it will likely also be the case for any sort of timeline for inbound tourism.
It is however interesting to note that a separate program that allows residents to travel within
their own prefecture will continue to be subsidised until the end of August.
It seems that the government’s approach to the current 7th wave is not in the limiting of
activities but more in the testing and monitoring of the virus. With Prefectures potentially being
asked to set up free testing sites at major train stations and airports between August 5 and 18,
which includes the Bon holiday period. And there is also the possibility that
those with travel plans who have not received their booster shot
will likely be requested to get tested before they travel.
"At this point, we’re not considering any new restrictions on activities. We’ll respond to the
spread of infections by promoting vaccinations, utilizing tests and taking other appropriate
measures," said Yamagiwa, who is also the minister in charge of economic revitalization.
Team, just a quick side note. There are 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. Or making a one off Paypal
donation too. Special thanks to this week’s Super thanks supporters and Paypal gang!
Super thanks: Jim Ross. And my Paypal supporters:
Only one nights, Alminox, David A, Japan Japan Ichiban, Suzanne L,
Also, team, if you don’t want to help financially, that perfectly fine, hitting the like button also
helps! Anyway lets get back to the nitty-gritty.. After breaking down and analyising what’s been
happening behind Japan’s closed borders.. here are the stats so that you are fully in the loop!
As from July 14th, 62.3% of the population have now received their third dose. And
crusially for Japan’s aging population 90.1% of those aged 65 years or older
have now received their booster shots too.
In fact 3,419,689 (4th) does have also been administered bringing the total to 7.7% of
the population and is actully an additional 3,250,210 doses compared to the last update.
Tokyo’s hospital occupancy now stands at 31.7% of standard covid beds in use
and although this is actually not a huge increase on last week’s update its important
to note that 2,198 patients have been admitted into hospital in Tokyo and that additional beds
have been added bringing the total of available beds to 6,944 compared to the previous 5047.
And, in terms of severe patients there are 45 in the capital, that equals to 10.7% of the
420 beds set aside for these patients in Tokyo. Nearly double the number compared to last week
but still relatively low compared to the huge population size of Tokyo.
Team there are a few indicators that we must keep an eye out for. Firstly, it does seem
that things are on a pause rather than moving backwards which is a good thing. Although I
wwas hoping for more movent after the election this does not currently seem to be the case.
We must also be aware that Kishida is now tasked with a cabinet reshuffle
after last weeks elections and this will likely take priority.
Japan was considering a further daily cap increase to 30,000 before the end
of July. But has also opted not to do so on the grounds that it would be difficult
to gain public understanding with infections surging again.
Perhaps now more than ever keeping an eye on covid numbers might be the biggest indicator of all.
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! So, if you do see a scheduled
stream, make sure you click the ‘Remind me button’ so that you can join in without forgetting!
Anyway Team, if you’ve watched all the way to the end prove it by including
a heart hands Emoji to prove it!!
(I’m really enjoying placing this eastereggs and searching to see them in the comment section!
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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