During Japan's COVID-19 Spread... Abe's Wife Faces Controversy Over Group Trip Following Cherry Blossom Viewing

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Japan, controversy has arisen after it was belatedly revealed that Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, went on a group trip for shrine visits last month.

According to the Japanese weekly magazine 'Shukan Bunshun' on the 16th, Akie Abe participated in a group tour program on the 15th of last month and visited Usa Shrine in Oita Prefecture. About 50 people took part in this tour. A representative of the tour organizer said that they received an inquiry from Akie Abe's side saying, "Because of COVID-19, all schedules (appointments) were canceled, and we want to go somewhere." It is known that Akie Abe did not join other sightseeing schedules besides the visit to Usa Shrine.

An eyewitness told Shukan Bunshun, "Because it was during the (COVID-19) period, few people were walking inside the shrine grounds, but most of those walking inside were not wearing masks," adding, "Upon closer look, the person at the very front not wearing a mask was Akie Abe. I was surprised by the lack of caution."

The day Akie Abe visited Oita Prefecture was when Prime Minister Abe was emphasizing to the public the need to have a sense of crisis regarding COVID-19 measures, making the issue even more controversial. On the 14th of last month, Prime Minister Abe held a press conference on COVID-19 measures, stating that although the state of emergency had not been declared, "we still cannot let our guard down," and urged people to refrain from outside activities.

Shukan Bunshun reported that they requested confirmation of Akie Abe's travel from Prime Minister Abe's office but received no response.

In late last month, Akie Abe also caused controversy after it was revealed that she visited a location in Tokyo for flower viewing while Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike was requesting Tokyo citizens to refrain from going out due to the possibility of COVID-19 spread. At that time, Prime Minister Abe explained, "She took commemorative photos with cherry blossoms as the background during a gathering with acquaintances at a restaurant," and stated, "There was no flower viewing in public places or banquets such as flower viewing in parks where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government requested restraint."

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