Japanese Media: "Japan Should Produce a WHO Director-General"

"Japan Already at World-Class Level in Medical Insurance and Drug Development"
Claims That Japan Intends to Withdraw WHO Director-General Candidate in Korea

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] Amid escalating tensions between the United States and China over the World Health Organization's (WHO) response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a Japanese media outlet has advocated for "appointing a Japanese Secretary-General to normalize the WHO."

The Japanese right-wing media 'Sankei Shimbun' stated on the 18th (local time), "The Group of Seven (G7) must nominate a candidate for the 2022 WHO Secretary-General election to fulfill the role of normalization," adding, "Japan putting forward a Secretary-General candidate is also a strong option."

It continued, "Public opinion demanding the resignation of current WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is spreading," and pointed out, "If the leadership lacks credibility, victory in the fight against the virus is uncertain."

Furthermore, it emphasized, "Nothing will change if we only criticize," and highlighted, "Japan has world-class standards in healthcare insurance and pharmaceutical development, abundant experience in medical support for developing countries, and financial resources, all of which contribute to the health of humanity as a whole."

The outlet also claimed that South Korea intends to nominate a candidate for WHO Secretary-General. The media said, "South Korea is already making moves, claiming 'we have received global recognition for our COVID-19 measures,'" and urged, "The government should immediately establish a command center at the Prime Minister's Office and unite as one to secure support from G7 countries."

Previously, the Donald Trump administration in the United States announced the suspension of funding to the WHO, citing its China-centric approach. On the 16th, US 'Fox News' reported that the Trump administration agreed to pay the WHO at the level of "China's contribution."

The United States pays $400 million (approximately 490 billion KRW) annually to the WHO. If the US only supports the WHO at the same level as China, that amount would be just 10% of $400 million, or $40 million (4.9 billion KRW).

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