The coronavirus has reached the epidemic stage in Japan

Text by: Bruno Duval

In Japan, the situation is getting worse day by day aboard the Diamond Princess, this liner which is in quarantine in Yokohama: 99 new cases of coronavirus were detected this Monday. The Japanese are watching with concern the development of the situation while in several regions of the country, the number of contaminations is also soaring.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Tokyo,

The Japanese Minister of Health is no longer in denial: he finally admits that the coronavirus is indeed at the epidemic stage in the country beyond the situation on board the Diamond Princess.

This change of tone did not escape public opinion. Since then, crisis lines have been swamped with calls from people asking where they can get tested for the virus.

And in tourist regions, hoteliers are crumbling under the cancellations of Japanese customers refusing to stay in establishments that, at the same time, welcome Chinese tourists.

The Chinese - visitors, but also immigrants (there are nearly 800,000 in Japan) - are victims of racist comments on social networks and discrimination in everyday life.

The biggest Japanese newspapers are dismayed at these “ terrifying ” reactions in a country they deem to be prey to hysteria. A country where even the oldest traditions are shaken by the crisis.

Sunday, the imperial palace will be closed to the public while it will be the anniversary of the emperor. Such a decision due to the precautionary principle has never been seen in almost 25 years.

454 passengers and crew have contracted the coronavirus out of the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess after 99 new cases were detected on Monday. And this assessment is undoubtedly nothing definitive since a good thousand cruise passengers have still not been tested.

► Read also: Coronavirus: reinforced isolation measures in China, first death in Taiwan

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• coronavirus
• Japan
• Health and Medicine

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