Corona Crisis, Three Powers of Reliable Leaders June 25, 20:03

The corona crisis has greatly restricted freedom of movement and economic activity. Due to the unprecedented crisis, leaders in each country, who were forced to take action without waiting, have various responses and evaluations. However, there is something in common among the leaders who are highly praised by their people. (Risa Komi, Director of Sydney/Yoshi Yamaguchi, Director of Berlin)

Video of the Prime Minister who also paid attention to the world

After 8:30 pm, Prime Minister Ardern of New Zealand performed a live broadcast using Facebook from the official residence in a rough trainer.

March 25, when a national emergency was declared and access was greatly restricted. Prime Minister Adern addressed the various questions he was asked about going out and worked to dispel his anxieties.

Considering the incubation period of the new coronavirus, after politely explaining that the number of infected people will continue to increase for a while even if severe restrictions are initiated, "I hope you will not be disappointed if the number of infected people increases rapidly. Everyone should follow the rules. If so, the results of the efforts should be realized.”

I think there were many people who were relieved to see how they spoke with a calm tone and a smile.

"I am the best prime minister!" "Thank you for the wonderful leadership!" The recorded live stream has been played over 5.4 million times.

It includes people who have watched it from abroad, but considering that the population of New Zealand is about 5 million, it can be seen that the attention is high.

Both rabbits and fairies can work...

Prime Minister Adern often sent out messages to people who are worried, saying, "Be strong, be kind," and consider each other to overcome them together.

I also honestly said that the government's response to the unprecedented situation may not be perfect. In addition, he responded to the simple questions and concerns of the children, showing a motherly aspect.

Christian Easter, early April ahead of Easter. For children worried that the rabbits that are indispensable for Easter and the tooth fairy who exchanges the missing teeth of children for coins may not be able to work due to restrictions on going out, Prime Minister Adern answered: It was

“Tooth Fairy and Easter Rabbit are essential workers (recognized for activity). But in this situation they may be busy with their homes, so it's difficult to visit everywhere. Must be understood."

The response of Prime Minister Adern was widely supported by the people. In a public opinion poll from a local television station announced in late May, 63% of people chose Prime Minister Adern as their "more preferred prime minister."

This was 21 points higher than the survey conducted in February, before the spread of infection in New Zealand, and was the highest in the 25 years that the survey was conducted.

"Community" and "Empathy" are important

What about leaders in other countries? WHO = Compare before and after March 11 when the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus a pandemic.

Looking at the opinion poll of the American research company ``Morning Consult'' which continuously publishes the support rate of the leaders of 10 countries such as the United States and Japan, it is supported by President Trump of the United States, President Bolsonaro of Brazil, Prime Minister Abe The rate tends to be flat or decline.

Meanwhile, Australia's Morrison, Canada's Trudeau, and Germany's Merkel's approval ratings are rising.

What do the leaders who have the support have in common? Mr. Yumiko Murakami, Director of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Tokyo Center, who is familiar with the current state of governments of each country, gives three points.

"Countermeasures based on scientific grounds",
"communication ability",
and "empathy".

He points out that it is important for leaders to be highly communicative and empathic, especially when faced with a crisis. It is said that if people do not understand the policies and policies of the government, people will be confused. And if the government conveys that it thinks about the people first, it can reduce anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Yumiko Murakami,
“Empathy cannot be achieved through performance. It cannot be done without actually knowing the people. When the people are suffering, people feel that leaders are their own people, so they trust the government. Will increase.''

In the case of Prime Minister Adern, it can be said that he has broadened his support especially with this "communication ability" and "empathy".

Science-focused Prime Minister Merkel

On the other hand, it is Germany's Chancellor Merkel who has been highly evaluated for "scientifically based measures."

Germany, which has recently seen a local spread of infection in some regions, keeps the casualties low in the West. As a scientist himself with a PhD in physics, Prime Minister Merkel has so far used various objective data to judge the introduction and mitigation of restrictive measures, and has also conveyed the rationale.

For example, a press conference in April that announced the first relaxation of restrictions. In response to the question, "What criteria are important for deregulation?", Merkel gave the "effective number of reproductions" as an index, which indicates the number of people infected by one infected person. It was

In addition, without worrying about the material, "The medical system will reach its limit in October if this number becomes 1.1, in July if it becomes 1.2, and in June if it becomes 1.3" , Answered in an orderly manner.

At that time, the number of new infections had begun to decline. Even so, through such explanations, Prime Minister Merkel complained that "the present situation is fragile like thin ice," and the public's understanding of the government's policy of easing mitigation to the last degree was understood.

Although Merkel is known for his calm judgment, he also demonstrates his empathy.

In a television speech in March, when traffic to and from neighboring countries was restricted, Prime Minister Merkel said:

"For those of us who have had the experience that freedom of travel and movement is a hard-earned right, such restrictions can only be justified when absolutely necessary."

From my own experience growing up in former East Germany, where freedom was limited, the speech that frankly showed how difficult it was to judge was very exciting.

A woman living in Berlin said, “Merkel has no ambition to increase his political presence. It has no charisma, but it is based on the objective fact that the people are the first. We are looking for a good solution."

"Diverse human resources" that support leaders are also key

Now, more countries are easing restrictions, saying that the spread of infection is being suppressed. However, it is expected that the “second wave” will come, and the crisis may be prolonged.

Director Murakami says that it is important for the people who support the leader as well as what they support.

"Even now, leaders should practice what the people want, what the government should provide, what the best measures are, and what kind of communication is required. To understand the people, It's important that the process of decision-making reflects the diverse image of the people. If there are biased people around the leader, information and opinions will be biased."

It is pointed out that it will be possible for the first time to understand the pain of a wide range of people and to take necessary measures and communication only if there are people with various ages, genders and backgrounds among government officials and experts who advise the leader. doing.

As the next issue, economic reconstruction will also weigh heavily. The World Bank forecasts that this year's global economic growth rate will drop to -5.2%, the worst since World War II. The path to rebuilding the economy is expected to be long and difficult, and many people are already worried and unhappy.

I would like to pay attention to whether leaders can exercise communication and empathy more than ever and gain the trust and pave the way for economic reconstruction.

Risa Komiya, General Manager of Sydney Bureau
Joined in 2003
After working at the Kanazawa Bureau and International Affairs Department, he was assigned to the Sydney Bureau.

Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Director of Berlin Office
Joined in 2008
After working at Hakodate Station, Sapporo Station, and International Department, he was assigned to the Berlin Office.