Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Epidemic failures tarnish the picture of ‘Japanese competence’

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Epidemic failures tarnish the picture of 'Japanese competence'
  • Camila Ferras Mota – cavmota
  • From BBC News Brazil in Sao Paulo

credit, Reuters

Illustrative image,

A survey conducted in May showed that 83% of Japanese support canceling or postponing the Games

Japan approved the first vaccine for use against COVID-19 on February 14 this year, two months later than countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

After the late start of the campaign, mass vaccination did not go as planned: just days before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, only 35% of Japanese had received at least the first dose. The percentage is lower than in Brazil, where up to 45% of people have been vaccinated with a single dose or a full vaccination, according to data from the Our World in Data platform.

The Japanese authorities were also unable to prevent the increase and spread of COVID-19 cases in the Olympic Village: on Friday (23/7), more than 100 cases were diagnosed among athletes, delegates and journalists.

The setting is the exact opposite of the image of effective Japan the world has come to see in recent decades. Even in times of crisis: Reactions to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Fukushima region, to name a few, made headlines around the world. At that time, the country in just six days managed to rebuild a highway in the city of Naka, which was torn in half by the disaster.

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About the Author: Camelia Kirk

"Friendly zombie guru. Avid pop culture scholar. Freelance travel geek. Wannabe troublemaker. Coffee specialist."

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