'Makmaljejo-gi' Aso: "Japan Does Not Enforce COVID Measures Like Korea... Do Not Treat Us the Same"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] It was reported on the 10th that Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso recently said regarding Japan's response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) that Japan did not use coercive measures like South Korea and told others "not to treat us the same way." This statement came amid his claim that the reason for the low number of COVID-19 deaths in Japan was due to the "high level of Japanese people."

According to Asahi Shimbun and others, Deputy Prime Minister Aso made this remark while responding to Sakurai Shu, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, during the House of Representatives Finance Committee the previous day. Sakurai said that compared to South Korea, China, and Taiwan, "Japan's level of civility is the worst in East Asia." Aso said about the Japanese government's COVID-19 response, "We do not have coercive power," and added, "Since we do not use coercive measures, please do not treat us the same as South Korea. South Korea strictly enforces measures, so if you say 'this is a violation,' it immediately means a certain (fine) amount."

This remark came during the explanation process following the controversy over Aso's "level of civility (mindo)" comment on the 4th. On that day, during the House of Councillors Committee on Financial Affairs, he explained the reason why the number of COVID-19 deaths in Japan was lower than in the United States or several European countries by saying, "I often receive calls asking, 'Are you the only ones with medicine?'" and responded, "When I tell such people that 'the level of civility between your country and our country (Japan) is different,' they all fall silent."

Mindo refers to the degree of lifestyle, economic power, or civilization development of the citizens or residents. Ultimately, this was interpreted as saying that countries or regions with many deaths had citizens of a lower level, which sparked significant controversy within Japan.

Sakurai, who asked the question, also pointed out that the number of deaths per million people in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom mentioned by Aso on the 4th was incorrect. In response, Aso said, "I read the mortality figures prepared by the staff," and admitted, "The criticism that it was wrong is correct, so I honestly apologize."

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