JAPAN Declares State of Emergency Over. WHAT HAPPENS Next?
Added 2020-05-25 16:26:05 +0000 UTCToday after almost 2 months, Japan’s emergency lockdown finally came to an end in Tokyo as the country begins to re-open.
It doesn’t mean everything will be back to normal overnight or anytime soon; restaurants close earlier, many shops require face-masks, public transport is running at a reduced service and many businesses are still encouraging workers to stay at home. The country plans to re-open in stages, with large gatherings and sporting events out of the picture for the foreseeable future.
Here in north Japan and in most of the country - except major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka - the emergency measures were eased last week, though life isn’t exactly normal. Many restaurants and bars still remain closed and towns remain eerily quiet.
Back in April, as countries around the world took special measures to quarantine their citizens, the Japanese government faced a great deal of criticism for their reluctance to take any action, against the backdrop of a long-awaited Olympics they were hesitant to cancel after 8 years of anticipation and billions of dollars of preparation.
It seemed like a magic coincidence that mere days after the Olympics were postponed, the number of cases quickly rose, ultimately peaking at 700 cases in a single day.
However, despite the late start, Japan seems to have fared far better than Europe and the US, as the number of cases and deaths seems comparatively low. Despite Japan’s population of 126 million, and one of the largest elderly populations on the planet, the country has seen 16,433 infections and 784 deaths out of a global death toll of 300,000.
As to why the figures are low, experts put it down to a combination of factors. Universal healthcare, one of the lowest rates of obesity in the world, the popularity of face-masks and a low contact culture have all played their part.
BUT of course, we all know the real reason.
- Which is that the Japanese language itself, apparently leads to less spit and airborne droplets.
Check out this remarkably conclusive “scientific experiment”.
https://twitter.com/rumireports/status/1263352830225551360
Hilarious. But utter bollocks.
As I begin to re-discover the great outdoors once more, I’ll be sure to refrain from saying “This is a pen” out loud for fear of sowing the seeds of despair.
Above all though, I’m looking forward to hopping in my car next week and adventuring out to catch up with Natsuki for the first time since February!
I’d be lying if I said sitting in my tiny apartment, surrounded by obscenely noisy neighbours hadn’t driven me to the brink of insanity. However, I don’t have the right to complain when I at least have the luxury of going outdoors, when I know many countries still face tough quarantine measures. My thoughts go out to all of you still currently affected, wherever you may be holding up right now.
I have to say, if anything good has come from all of this, it’s that I feel more grateful to be able to dedicate my time to creating videos.
During these past two months I’ve had more messages of support than usual, and experienced kind words from viewers of the channel and listeners of the podcast, saying the Abroad in Japan channel has cheered them up or provided an escape from a tough time.
As someone who’s always turned to TV and film as an escape in difficult times throughout my life, I’m so grateful to be able to work on the other side of the screen.
And I’d like to thank all of you for the many messages and comments of support I’ve received and for believing in what we do here on the Abroad in Japan channel!
Or should I say the “Abroad in Japan Cinematic Universe”, given it seems to be growing all the time.
CASE IN POINT, while you wait for this week’s Patreon exclusive Q&A, why not check out Ryotaro’s new video, over on “Ryotaro’s Japan”.
This week, he’s finally broken out of his low budget studio to go and eat something.
🗾Ryotaro's Japan: https://youtu.be/bJh5aGfI9K4
ALSO for those of you that missed the recent action-packed live show, packed full of hilarious Natsuki cameos and the world’s greatest 80’s diorama, grab yourself a drink and watch it here!
📺 Abroad in Japan LIVE:https://youtu.be/pwTGVTiHIUI
And in case you missed the most recent Podcast, where Pete and I discussed Japan’s creepiest abandoned places - after a news story involving a grizzly discovery at a forgotten hotel - you can listen in here.
🎧 PODCAST: https://bit.ly/abandonedjapan
Hopefully, this’ll keep you busy until I return in the next few days with the Patreon Q&A video and discussing what’s coming up next on Abroad in Japan!
I'll be sure to keep you updated on the situation here but for now though folks, wishing you all a great start to the week.
Chris
Comments
Its slowly getting back to normal here in the UK. I saw Starbucks was open today so that's a plus! I have enjoyed your videos, live streams and podcasts during this time it helps me feel less alone in this strange situation so thank you😊
2020-05-29 17:14:26 +0000 UTCHello Chris, where can I get access to the Discord? ☺️ Thanks so much
2020-05-26 17:55:49 +0000 UTCHello Chris! Thanks so much for your videos - my boyfriend and I really love watching them. We travelled to Japan last year and visited Sendai on your recommendation and enjoyed the delicious Zunda shakes and local beef :) Would you be able to do a post or a video on the Japanese government's tourism subsidy scheme when they announce more details? Like so many, we had our holiday plans cancelled because of COVID-19, so we'd definitely be keen to do a trip to Japan later this year if it's safe to do so (especially if the govt would be covering some of the cost!). Thank you!
2020-05-26 09:17:34 +0000 UTCave to say, I'm happy to be out and about a bit more as well. Though Fukui was never under strict lock down, its just nice to go around without feeling I'm breaking the law somehow! Have to say though, hearing that the genuinely consider the Japanese language to be a factor in the low numbers does surprise me. But what surprises me more is that I'm actually surprised. Honestly, you'd think I'd be desensitized to this type of bullshit by now 😂
2020-05-25 23:31:00 +0000 UTCI'm glad you're potentially going to be getting some breathing time outside of home finally, its definitely been a long time coming. ☀🌿🌷 Just please be safe, okay? Your health and safety is of the utmost importance in all of this, 100%. 💙 But before you venture into the awaiting outdoors, take a moment to ask yourself two very important questions before doing so: Are you sexy? ✔ And most importantly, are you safety? ✔ Lol 💙
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-05-25 21:35:56 +0000 UTCI live in Jakarta, Indonesia and local state of emergency is still going from April until June 4th. It might be revoke at that exact time or not depending on new cases.
Niken Larasati
2020-05-25 21:18:45 +0000 UTCThe wife and I really enjoy your vids, Chris. They are more than a few cuts above the standard 'gaijin in Japan' fare that seems all too common on youtube these days. Looking forward to the next one then.
Chris Maddox
2020-05-25 20:57:41 +0000 UTCThanks for the update Chris! Glad to hear things are safely moving forward in Japan.
2020-05-25 20:11:43 +0000 UTCI’ve enjoyed watching the Abroad in Japan cinematic universe, and have become a Patreon due to the wonderful hours of entertainment you’ve provided. Thank you and be well.
Crypto Wolf
2020-05-25 19:43:41 +0000 UTCI am glad to hear that things are going better over there Chris :) You are amazing, your content always make me smile. Keep doing what you do and I look forward to new videos. Stay safe.
2020-05-25 19:01:07 +0000 UTCI’m glad to hear things are going well in Japan. We also have recently had things go back to normal more or less here in China but you still have the temperature checks and precautions everywhere. Hopefully we all get out of this soon, I want to go visit Japan.
2020-05-25 18:34:53 +0000 UTCHere I thought confucianism played a huge part in Japan’s numbers. Silly me didn’t even think about the low velocity spittle aspect of the language. 😂
2020-05-25 18:00:11 +0000 UTCDamn it, Japan was so close to turning into a cyberpunk dystopia (joke!). I'm glad you were able to stay creative despite going stir-crazy. You mentioned in the livestream that people could send you cider if they wanted, but are you sure it won’t just get stuck in customs? Have people sent you alcohol from abroad before? I assume there are regulations that might be stricter due to the current situation.
Eels
2020-05-25 17:49:22 +0000 UTC"Like A Magic" - Drink!
2020-05-25 17:45:01 +0000 UTCWith things opening up, does that mean we may be closer to you getting out for the road trip series? I really really like the idea of it, as JAJ was easily my favorite thing you’ve done! Those videos bring me so much joy. Do you by chance have a timeline for when you want to do that?
2020-05-25 17:31:38 +0000 UTCGood news mate, I hope the reopening in Japan goes well and without an unreasonable spike in new cases. Thanks for keeping us all entertained with your indoor videos throughout the last months. We're all looking forward to what you've planned for the rest of the year!
Stefan H
2020-05-25 17:12:52 +0000 UTCI dare you for some belguim chocolate to say this is a pen in public while you record it for patreon
Yannick van Gennip
2020-05-25 16:46:43 +0000 UTCThats great news! Maybe if things go better here in EU over the next months there is still a possibility that i could visit Japan for my 30th birthday (end of August). Well i can hope at least :) but iam glad that you guys can get a bit "back-to-normal".
2020-05-25 16:44:37 +0000 UTCAiJ has been a huge source of cheer in these bleak times. Thank you for all that you do!!
Sammybunny711
2020-05-25 16:44:19 +0000 UTCJust want to say thanks man. I binged your videos at the beginning of this quarantine to the point my wife thinks I’m bonkers. Loved the live shows and can’t wait for more. Thanks again man.
2020-05-25 16:41:50 +0000 UTCNot sure how it'll pan out, but I've been seeing some articles recently that Japan is preparing to offer a rebate program for tourism expenses, to try and put a dent in the loss of tourism this year. Details are still forthcoming, but if it pans out, I'm hoping to make good on travel plans in September/October, assuming we can keep this thing under control. It's strange, I don't even really know what "normal" feels like anymore, but it's good to see that things are starting to move back in that direction. Let's hope we can stay the course and keep this thing on lock. Let me be one of the many people who say how grateful I am to have had your content to carry me through this time. And I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned ahead!
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2020-05-25 16:40:02 +0000 UTC
