Japan Criticizes 'Drive-Through' Testing... Local Governments Adopt It, Minister Apologizes

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government and local governments have introduced a Korean-style 'drive-through' testing method to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Although the Japanese government stated that the drive-through method would not be conducted without a doctor's examination, the responsible minister apologized in the National Diet.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 19th, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, began drive-through COVID-19 testing for about 50 employees of elderly welfare facilities in the city from that day. These facilities had been closed due to confirmed infections, and Nagoya City is collecting specimens from employees using the drive-through method to check for infections. Niigata City in Niigata Prefecture had previously introduced limited drive-through testing.

Asahi reported, "When collecting specimens at medical institutions, doctors must carefully remove protective clothing after testing each person to prevent virus transmission, which can take up to an hour per test," adding, "In urban areas with frequent infections, it is difficult to collect specimens at medical institutions, so this method was adopted as a last resort."

Earlier, on the 15th, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare posted on its official Twitter, "Since the drive-through method often does not involve a doctor's examination, it is not conducted in our country (Japan)," expressing a negative stance. However, on the 16th, the following day, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Kato Katsunobu attended the House of Councillors Budget Committee and responded to a question about considering "innovative" methods like drive-through testing to prevent in-house infections by saying, "It is not that our country (Japan) rejects it. If necessary, such measures can certainly be taken."

Minister Kato also stated at the House of Representatives Health, Labour and Welfare Committee on the 17th that regarding the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's tweet about the drive-through method, "We must apologize for the initial inaccurate message." He added that regardless of the form taken, if it effectively prevents the spread of infection, various methods should be employed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.