Japanese Government Appeals to "Refrain from Going Out"... Is Abe's Wife on a Group Trip?

Photos taken during Mrs. Akie (昭惠) (right)'s visit to Usa Shrine in Oita Prefecture, released on the 25th through the website of the Japanese weekly magazine "FRIDAY". Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] As the Japanese government requested all citizens to refrain from going out to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), a controversy has arisen after travel photos of Akie Abe (昭惠), wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (安倍晋三), were revealed.

The Japanese weekly magazine 'FRIDAY' obtained and published a group photo taken on March 15th when Akie Abe visited Usa Shrine in Oita Prefecture. At that time, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was increasing nationwide in Japan, heightening the sense of crisis. In fact, on March 14th, the day before Akie Abe left for her trip, Prime Minister Abe appealed, saying "Please refrain from outdoor activities" as the vigilance against COVID-19 could not be relaxed.

The fact that Akie Abe joined the shrine visit trip became known on the 15th. At that time, Prime Minister Abe explained that his wife's trip did not fall under the so-called "3 Cs" (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) that the government requested people to avoid, and said "There is no problem."

However, in the photo published by FRIDAY, Akie Abe is seen standing in a large group with several people without wearing a mask.

FRIDAY pointed out, "Prime Minister Abe explained that Akie Abe's trip did not correspond to the '3 Cs,' but looking at Akie Abe's photo, it is clear that this is a weak excuse."

They also added, "Akie Abe had also attended flower viewing before the Oita trip," and "She is repeatedly acting in direct contrast to her husband, the Prime Minister, who appeals for vigilance against COVID-19."

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