Japan's Response to H1N1 Swine Flu

by About Japan Editors The H1N1 swine flu seems to have hit the Japanese media with a vengeance, being the lead story almost every day. At first, it focused on the spread of the flu in the United States and Mexico, creating the impression that it was particularly dangerous to travel abroad. For example, the lead story (in Japanese) on Friday, May 22's online edition of the Asahi Shinbun is of a 10 year old in Kyoto contracting the disease.  This article (in English) from the Daily Yomiuri on May 22nd details the government's action plan regarding the flu, which includes provisions to limit citizens' mobility and encourage staying at home.

Recently, the flu has spread to Japan. Apparently, surgical masks are selling at quite a brisk rate. It has spread particularly in the Kansai area. In response, many schools in Kobe and Osaka (part of the Kansai region) have been temporarily closed, with a total of over 4000 schools in the Kinki region being closed.  Japan Times' article from May 21st covers the school closings.   This article from the New York Times on May 21st explores how the virus could have entered Japan despite stringent checks.  This Japan Times editorial from June 5th wonders if media coverage in Japan went to far and laments the hostility and predjudice experienced by those with the virus.  Students can discuss whether the Japanese protocol and reaction to the virus is paranoid or justified, and compare and contrast Japan's actions to those of the United States'.  For comparison, this article from the New York Times on May 20th is about the weeklong school closings in New York City, the problems it causes for working parents, and the tendancy for students to congregate at malls and parks despite warnings. 

On Monday, May 25th many of the schools in Japan reopened, after having been closed for a week.  Note the photo of elementary school students working with handmade masks in this article from the Japan Times on May 26th. 

The possible economic ramifications of the flu provide a rich teaching opportunity.  This article in the Japan Times on May 23rd discusses the possible economic ramifications of the flu, particularly in regard to the decrease in tourism within Japan but the increase in surgical mask sales.  For comparison, this article from the New York Times on May 23, 2003 blames SARS (and the Iraq War) for stalling the Japanese economy at that time.