Life in a semi-lockdown scenario ~ four ~

And so it continues

And what started as a weekly reconciliation of life in a semi-lockdown scenario, has now stretched into a fortnight (or thereabouts), largely because, well, it is more of the same. Although my government-supplied masks (two of) arrived just after the last post here. The masks have been controversial, great expense, and policy with good intentions but misdirected outcomes. It will be a case study in future politics classes...I've put mine in my disaster emergency kit, when they might come in handy in the event that the big earthqu...wait, let's not go there, we've had more than a few quakeshakes in recent weeks.

A full moon this week, signifying a full month
 of life in a time of semi-lockdown. 7 May 2020

We almost reached the end of the Golden Week break (6 May), we were in the last weekend with just a few days to go, when the Government announced on Sunday 3 May that it would formally announce that (in all likelihood) the state of emergency would be extended on 4 May, which it was. As we have seen in Australia (and elsewhere, but Australia and Japan are my key interests here), the debate is shifting towards the economy vs dead people benefits, an awful discourse (and yet...) and which should take priority.  We have seen some innovation on the part of small bars and restaurants in their shift to a 'take-away' or delivery service, but a number of other retailers haven't had quite that sort of opportunity. Apart from my neighbourhood convenience store (where toilet paper is back in regular supply, though masks are not), and the supermarket precinct a little further afield, most of the other retailers in the area have closed for the duration. And that is all I have seen firsthand because I have not been on a train now for more than five, almost six weeks. 

And, just as we see in Australia, there remains a continuing tension and parry between prefectural governors (think premiers) and the prime minister and cabinet. In recent days, it has been the Tokyo and Osaka governors who continue to take the lead, leaving PM Abe following. In the meantime, he is currently subject of questioning over the extension of the retirement age for public prosecutors, in this case another 'favour for a friend', and raising doubts about the separation of powers in Japan. It follows a series of other scandals that, one would like to say have 'dogged' his prime ministership but in a worrying sign for parliamentary democracy, it seems he will escape serious retribution on this too. On the other hand, as his term is due to come to an end within the year, there does appear to be less speculation about him continuing on 'indefinitely', by extending the term for the LDP president/prime minister. 

The ¥100,000 assistance payment is now being rolled out across the country, though not without its hiccups. Like the masks, this has been a poorly improvised policy idea; as it stands, each person in a household will be entitled to ¥100,000 though it must be applied for through the 'head of the household', which generally means the male head of the family. To its credit, the media have been quick to highlight the patriarchal bias inherent in this system, also highlighting problems of families in breakdown and domestic violence (DV, as it is referred to in Japan), and people made homeless through these times. I personally would hope to see a stronger response for people in these situations, prioritised over everyone having access (including foreign residents). 

There might be too much tweeting at times

Classes continue online, and now until the end of July for the time being, making the entire first semester an 'online' experience. Students have adapted differently to the circumstances--some getting by, some liking the extended opportunity to read and think about their materials, but, worryingly, some not responding at all. This will be a key issue for us to follow up. While some are accepting this as the 'new normal, get used to it', I am more of the view that while it works for emergency purposes, for politics which demands engagement and debate, it is not an ideal situation. But I'm getting old and closer every day to retirement so no-one will care about my views. I mean, when you conduct politics online, you get twitter-driven cesspits...it is the wrong kind of socio-political distancing. 

And, in a first, the annual Constitution Day rally (3 May, a public holiday) which is normally held not far from my campus, and which I attend each year, also shifted to online this year. 

So for the time being, we remain now in a time of semi-lockdown for at least another three weeks, until 31 May. Tokyo's case numbers appeared to be going down and staying down, in double figures although we are wary, given the lengthy string of public holidays. Some questioning of methodology too, but for now, we remain hopeful we might be on the slow but sure road to an exit. 

Daily updates via twitter @psephy and #tokyolyf 

Cheers, and thanks for reading.