First COVID-19 Death of Japanese Lawmaker and Discovery of South African Variant...Intense COVID Fear (Summary)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Japan, the first case of a sitting member of the National Diet dying from COVID-19 has been reported, and fears are spreading as the virus rages on with the discovery of the South African variant following the UK variant. The Japanese government held an emergency countermeasure meeting and urged thorough quarantine measures.

According to local Japanese media such as NHK on the 28th, Yuichiro Hata, a member of the House of Councillors from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who died at Tokyo University Hospital the previous day, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 after a post-mortem test. This is the first time a member of the National Diet has died from COVID-19 in Japan. The Constitutional Democratic Party stated in a press release that the five-term lawmaker Hata had been experiencing high fever and other symptoms since the 24th, and on the afternoon of the 27th, his condition rapidly worsened while being transported to a Tokyo metropolitan hospital for a COVID-19 test, resulting in his death.

Hata, who served as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2012, was the eldest son of former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata and was 53 years old this year. According to Tetsuro Fukuyama, Secretary-General of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who spoke at a press briefing that day, Hata had underlying conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. While going for testing with his secretary the previous day, he experienced shortness of breath and was transported by ambulance but passed away.

Following the first death of a National Diet member, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that a woman in her 30s who had stayed in South Africa was infected with the South African variant of COVID-19, further heightening fears. After the UK variant was first detected in Japan on the 25th, the confirmation of a case infected with the South African variant has raised concerns that the spread of COVID-19 will intensify.

Since last month, the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan has hovered around 3,000, with the spread intensifying. As severe cases and deaths rapidly increase, voices from the medical community warning of a shortage of hospital beds are growing louder. According to COVID-19 statistics released by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of this day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Japan is 223,786, with a total of 3,152 deaths.

The Japanese government has decided to block the entry of all foreigners from all countries until the end of January next year to prevent the spread of variant viruses. However, entry and quarantine exemptions for businesspeople under the 'Business Track' agreement with 11 countries including South Korea and China will be maintained. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also urged relevant ministries at the emergency countermeasure meeting, saying, "The virus does not take a break during the year-end and New Year holidays. Please maintain high vigilance and thoroughly implement countermeasures."

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