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In the case of Japan, looking at how the Shinzo Abe administration has dealt with the threat, it gives the impression that it is largely underestimating the effects of COVID-19. Japanese officials have used smaller numbers of confirmed patients and fatalities in Japan than other countries, such as China and South Korea, to justify how well it has been doing in fighting the virus. This is evident since it came under harsh international and domestic criticism for its alleged poor handling of cases on the Diamond Princess cruise liner.
But the fact is that, due to the limited virus testing in Japan, there have been concerns that the Abe government's official infection tally is only the tip of an iceberg of a much wider outbreak in the country. Needless to say, the lack of openness and transparency could be destructive in dealing with this particular kind of threat.
But the grim reality is largely being ignored in Japan. And this tendency is more conspicuous in reactions to the swirling controversy over the fate of the Tokyo Olympics. In general, the government's response to the virus outbreak would have been very different if it was not hosting the Olympics.
While there are growing doubts over whether Japan will be able to host the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled, Japanese officials, politicians and organizers remain confident that the COVID-19 crisis is not so serious as to cancel ― or even postpone ― the Games. On March 14, Prime Minister Abe insisted that the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this summer as planned, showing confidence that the country can overcome the spread of the virus. Japan's organizing committee then said in a statement that it has agreed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to collaborate closely with all relevant organizations to deliver a "safe and secure opening on July 24 as planned."
And the IOC sided with Abe, Tuesday, issuing a statement after an executive board meeting in Lausanne that it was not the time for "any drastic decisions" over the staging of the Tokyo Olympics and "any speculation at this moment would be counterproductive." The Japanese leader then said he wants a perfect hosting of the Olympics "as proof that the human race will conquer the new coronavirus."
Japan's difficult position as host is understandable. But what Abe and the IOC said sounds surreal at a time when the coronavirus is ravaging the world and major sports events ― and even many qualifying competitions for the Tokyo Olympics ― have been delayed or cancelled.
Abe says the final decision on whether to delay or cancel the Olympics is up to the IOC. But this is not a procedural issue. It is basically a matter that requires Japan's determination. More specifically, it should be determined by Abe and his administration.
Indeed, Abe has staked considerable political capital on hosting the Tokyo Olympics. On many occasions, he emphasized that he sees it as a way to bolster national pride. So Japan chose the J-Village soccer training center in Fukushima, which served as the emergency response headquarters during the 2011 nuclear disaster, as the starting point of the Olympic torch relay in Japan. The organizing committee has also reaffirmed that produce from Fukushima will be served at the athletes' village despite food safety concerns from many nations.
Japan's national pride is at stake. This is true. It would be wonderful if the pandemic was over and athletes came together to Tokyo to compete in July. But few countries believe this is possible. Even surveys by Japanese news outlets show two-thirds of Japanese people believe the Olympics should be postponed or cancelled.
Delaying the Olympics due to the virus is not a shame. But if this is avoided because of money, someone's political consideration or other dubious reasons, it will be a shame. It is insensitive and irresponsible to adhere to the original game plan given what is occurring around the world.
Na Jeong-ju (jj@koreatimes.co.kr) is a former political news editor and now an editorial writer of The Korea Times.
