Comprehensive compilation of Wang Zi
January 15 marks the second anniversary of the discovery of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Japan. On the same day, Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan reported a record number of new cases of COVID-19 in a day: 1,829. British Reuters quoted Okinawa Governor Tamaki Danny as saying he was angry that the poor epidemic prevention at the US military base had led to the spread of the new crown variant virus, Omi Kerong, in Japan.
In mid-December 2021, a cluster of infections broke out at a U.S. military base in Okinawa. Since then, the local epidemic situation has continued to deteriorate, becoming the "hardest hit area" of the epidemic in Japan. According to Japanese media reports such as the Ryukyu Shinpa newspaper, the US military base is regarded by the Okinawa government and people as the "epicenter" of a new wave of epidemics, behind which are deeper problems, including the "privileges" enjoyed by US troops in Japan and the revision of the "Japan-US Status of The Agreement".
Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshinori admitted on January 13 that it is "impossible to deny" the possible role of cluster infections in the US military facilities in Japan in the surrounding areas, but the central government "did not consider revising" the "Japan-US Status of The Agreement" that gives the US military huge authority; regarding the future response to the epidemic, the head of foreign affairs and defense of the Japanese side will have to carry out individual consultations with the US military.
Article 9 of the Status of-Japan Agreement stipulates that U.S. forces are not subject to immigration formalities under Japanese laws. This means that the US military to Japan can not accept the virus testing of the Japanese side, and the testing and epidemic prevention of the personnel of the US military base is the responsibility of the US military, and there is no obligation to inform Japan of the relevant information.
"People say that there is no way to deal with the loopholes in the countermeasures at border crossings." Kyodo News Quoted a relevant person from Japan's Ministry of Defense as saying.
"What's going on with this distinction? U.S. troops were tested for (viruses) when they left Japan. Japan's Okinawa Times reported on January 14 that U.S. soldiers entering Japan as if they were in no man's land, but they needed to submit nucleic acid test certificates when they returned to the United States from Japan. According to the news previously released by the US military base in Japan on social media "Facebook", on December 6 last year, when US soldiers returned to the United States from Yokota, they needed to submit a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 24 hours or 72 hours as appropriate; when traveling from Yokota to other bases in Japan, they did not need to submit a certificate, "The inequality of the Japan-US Status Of Rights Agreement appeared."
The "double standard" made the Japanese angry. "When you come to Japan without testing, when you leave Japan, you test, and the Japan-U.S. Status of Rights Agreement can no longer explain this kind of thing... It's like saying that it's okay to bring the virus from the U.S. to Japan, but not from Japan to the U.S. Some Japanese netizens wrote.
"When the (Japanese) government does not take any measures in the face of serious life-threatening challenges, there is naturally criticism. Does Japan prioritize its own people or U.S. bases? Former Professor PoBossen of Okinawa International University said.
Kyodo News Agency said that by January 4, Kishida Fumio's government had been in power for three months, and this government tried to learn the lessons of the Suga government and try to grasp the opportunity in epidemic prevention and other aspects, "as long as it perceives that public opinion is dissatisfied, it will immediately correct the direction in order to calm the situation as soon as possible." Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been cautious at every turn, and since taking office, he has constantly stressed the idea of "envisioning the worst-case scenario" to avoid flaws in the epidemic prevention policy and attract criticism.
"Even if a decision has been made, as long as it is for the sake of the people, it will not hesitate to change [the measure]." Kishida Fumio told Kyodo News Agency.
The anger of the people of Okinawa did not push for the revision of the "Status of-Japan Agreement" to the United States. The Japanese government only recently announced that it will tighten epidemic prevention restrictions in three areas with US military facilities.
"Anger at U.S. military bases in Okinawa has intensified with a surge in the number of cases." The Financial Times reported that 70% of the US troops stationed in Japan are stationed in Okinawa, and the dissatisfaction of the local people has been prominent as early as the beginning of the epidemic, and has been there ever since.
On July 4, 2020, some U.S. soldiers in Okinawa celebrated U.S. Independence Day. Videos leaked online showed revelers dancing on Okinawa beaches without anyone wearing masks. The party was hosted by a former U.S. Marine.
For Japanese people watching videos on social media, it was a cold water poured on the country's epidemic prevention efforts. At the time, they had been at home for several months. "We are careful to eliminate any possibility of infection. This video made me very angry and disappointed. Chikiko Ayoshiro, head of a residents' organization in Okinawa, said.
After that, just half a month later, a wave of outbreaks broke out in Okinawa. There is no evidence to link this wave directly to that party or other gatherings on the island that night, but in public opinion they are as suspicious as a smoking gun.
"In theory, Okinawa should have the ability to control the spread of the new crown virus. After Japan declared a state of emergency in April 2020, the number of tourists visiting Okinawa plummeted, and the island's military base was supposed to be a shining example of discipline and control. The Financial Times wrote that the fact is that the US military base has provoked anger in Okinawa, and locals have always believed that the virus came from the US military base.
"Many Okinawans feel betrayed by two governments — the Japanese government and the U.S. government. They argue that neither government gives much consideration to the interests of Okinawans. The Financial Times wrote. India's People's Express news network said that this solves a mystery - since 2014, the winners of the Okinawa prefectural election have been opponents of the US military base.
Source: China Youth Daily client