Japan's Vaccine Fiasco

Several months ago there was reason to be optimistic about Japan's vaccine efforts. Procurement of Pfizer and Moderna's highly effective COVID-19 products brought hope the government would rapidly inoculate the entire population of Japan by summer. The truth is the program has been a dismal failure to date. One has to ask why?

Was it simply a shortage of available vaccine? That is one piece of the puzzle. A lack of syringes? That, too. A limited number of approved medical staff to inject the vaccine? Yes. A shortage of refrigeration units? Perhaps. But I was thinking there may also be something political going on.

Kono Taro, PM Suga's vaccine minister, has not been shy about his desire to be appointed Prime Minister in the future. And while he has his supporters, he also has powerful competition. Could it be that those opposed to Kono are having a hand in seeing him fail as COVID minister? And have there been road blocks created to make him fail in the eyes of the public to reduce his popularity? Hard to know.

What is clear is Japan trails all G-7 countries in vaccinating the public. That the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost all three seats up for grabs in recent Japanese parliamentary elections this month points toward displeasure with what is not being done.

A final point - the Olympics in July. It is difficult to understand why it is proceeding. The population will not be protected. New variants may more easily enter the country despite promised daily testing of athletes. It therefore becomes a risk/reward issue. The risks clearly outweigh any rewards - except for the financial sponsors and those who benefit from the event.