(１) COVID-19

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

August, 2020

The NUFS Times
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

57 Takenoyama, Iwasakicho, Nissin, Aichi 470-0197 JapanThe 5th edition：COVID-19

Anguished Drug Stores
Which is scarier, a virus or people?

came filled with customers whenmasks and antiseptic solution arrived. I couldn’t leave the cashierfor over three hours.”

By Kisumi Sato

COVID-19 has drasticallychanged our lifestyle. This change
has also seeped into businesses anddrugstores worldwide. At the drug
store where I work, protective acrylic shields have been installed to protect workers from infection. Antiseptic solution can also be found ateach store entrance.

Some customers complained tome without a cause. When masks
sold out, a man demanded of me: ‘If
you don’t have masks you have to
buy them from somewhere and sellthem to me.’ I hope COVID-19 will
disappear as soon as possible.”“I learned that some customers
have no room for compassion in
their heart. It baffled me. Even mywork ethic was affected. After customers scolded me I made mistakes
which I usually never make.”

Amidst such drastic changes,
even customers who once treatedworkers with respect have begun tolose their temper. I personally remember countless customers who
were once very nice to employees,
but who now become angry when
they cannot receive masks or antiseptic solution.

Anna Fuji, another drug store
worker, said, “I can understand customers’ anxiety about COVID-19.
However, I cannot understand why
so many customers release theiranger on clerks unreasonably.
Think straight and please act politely.”

Masataka Hanada, the manager
of a drug store, told me about his
experience working since the outbreak of COVID-19. “Because ofpeople’s desperation or supplies,
sales have increased by 110% andthe number of customers has increased by about 130% since theoutbreak of COVID 19. You can imagine how busy my store was.“At the end of February, the rumor
that toilet paper and tissues will bein short supply spread throughout
Japan. Crowds of people rushed tostores. I recall being unable to leave
the cashier because of the endlessAbove: Acrylic shields at cash regisline of customers. It was chaos.
ters, and foot-seals on the floor in a
Even after closing the shop, we had
drugstore, in Toyota City, Aichi.
to work overtime and do other work
such as unpacking products andthough our store opens at nine. Afcleaning up. I had never experiter witnessing such desperate acenced such a degree of busyness intions, on April 10th, we ceased dismy life.
playing our masks. Despite displayFrom early February, information ing a notice about this decision, cusregarding COVID-19 flooded Japa- tomers continued to inquire: “whennese news networks. Soon after,
will you sell masks? Where are thecustomers rushed to buy products
masks?” Some customers even bethat protect them from COVID-19, gan doubting our integrity: “Do you
such as masks and antiseptic solu- really sell masks?”
tion. Within the span of a week,
On February 29th, Tama, twitter
these products sold out.
name, a drug store employee, said:
As the number of customers in“I have become scared of peoplecreased, so did the number of enmore than I am scared of COVIDquiries and complaints. In response, 19.” Tama tweeted about this horrisome stores implemented a perble situation, accumulating overcustomer-limit for certain products thirty thousand retweets and fifty
to prevent shortages. Some custom- thousand likes in response.
ers ignored these rules. Clerks had
Tama earnestly apologized about
to explain the limits and apologize
the product shortage every time
to customers who did not undercustomers inquired about masks.
stand.
The inquiries never ceased, andFollowing the implantation of
Tama became exhausted. In rethese rules, people’s desperation for sponse, many salespersons sentmasks and sanitizer came to light.
comforting messages, empathizing
People would wait outside the store through their own experiences.
before opening hours to buy theWorkers spoke of customers shoutmasks on display. Some began wait- ing and even throwing coins at eming as early as three a.m., even

Looking ahead, this situation will
not end simply by manufacturing
more masks and antiseptic solution:even things like instant noodles andfrozen food have sold out due to
COVID-19. Children can easily prepare these types of food, so after the
closure of public schools in late February, instant noodle and frozen
foods sold out instantly.
According to Hanada, a limit has
been placed on the amount of foodproducts that customers can buy inone outing. These limits have beenaccompanied by mistakes in product“#criesofdrugstoreclerks,” tweet- distribution. In other words, even if
certain food products are ordered,ing and sharing the hellish atmosphere of their work. These horrible they may not arrive. Situations likechanges occurred in other stores as these worsen the situation for ourwell. Yuki Matsubara, who works at store, which has already been struggling with acquiring masks and
AEON, shared his experiences:sanitizer. As we encounter product
When COVID-19 started spread- shortages of instant ramen and froing, I hardly expected the shop to
zen foods, the complaints of custombecome overcrowded with customers once again come to haunt us. It
ers. Before I knew it, my store betruly is a vicious circle.
ployees. These horrible incidents
occurred countless times. To raiseawareness, drug store clerks trended the hashtag,

Special Thanks to: Nina HAMASAKI: University of Tasmania, Aus-

tralia: Jacob TEICHRIB: The University of British Columbia, Canada:
Angéline Nicole Emirene FARRES: Université Jean-Moulin Lyon 3,France:
Malcom Guido ORSI:University of Turin, Italy
Owing to the new coronavirus, the world has changed completely. The
NUFS Times is not immune to its influence. NUFS domestic students andexchange students are usually expected to work together to contribute theirarticles to the paper but we did not have any exchange students this semester due to the world catastrophe caused by the virus. Moreover, all of ourwriting and editing sessions were held online. It was extremely difficult topublish an English paper in such an environment. Fortunately, we had 4former NUFS exchange students help us as informants and advisers. We
could not have managed to publish the paper without their help. We would
like to express our deepest gratitude to them.
We are overjoyed to deliver the 5th edition of The NUFS Times. This issue’s theme is COVID-19.

(２) COVID-19

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

August, 2020宐宬宱宲宵宬宷宬宨家季宲宩季宷宫宨季宆宒宙完宇季守宵室

Discrimination Due to COVID-19
How can we eliminate the hate?
By Hinano KOBAYASHI

We can tangibly feel the global
crisis stirring up our lives like anearthquake beneath our feet.
Amidst these difficult times, humans have had to push themselves
to extraordinary and uncomfortablemeasures. Even though we must
help each other in such desperate
times, COVID-19 has exacerbatedinstances of Asian discrimination.
One victim of this discrimination
is Keigo Ichie, a 21-year-old Japanese student studying abroad in
Canada. Despite being urged to return to Japan following the outbreak of COVID-19, Ichie decided tostay.
Ichie took time off school to study
abroad in Toronto from February
2020. When Ichie entered Canada,
the COVID-19 epidemic had yet tointensify. After two weeks of studying abroad in Toronto, the virus became widespread. Companies began
to shut down, schools began worrying about how they would transition
online, and citizens entered a stateof panic as governments rushed tocatch up with COVID-19. Deciding
to remain in Canada, Ichie had tostruggle through the beginnings ofthe global epidemic as a foreign student.
Alongside the outbreak of COVID-19, instances of Asian discrimination reached an all-time high. Canadians harassed Ichie because he is
Asian. In daily life, citizens maintained a careless distance from
Ichie, forcing him into a helplessstate of despair and isolation. Heeven incurred somebody's displeasure on public transit, being expelledfrom a train due to his race.
After vulnerably leaving his homecountry to study English, Ichie was
mistreated by Canadian nationals.
Ichie believes that such incidents
are exceptionally racist, incorrect,
and must not exist. In order to publicly denote these actions, Ichie created a YouTube channel, and continues to share these stories withmany people. He hopes that others
experiencing the same thing may beable to cope with their struggles ifthey have someone with which toshare their burden.
Humankind is facing difficult
problems, and although we shouldbe helping each other, Asian discrimination has worsened. Keigo
Ichie is one of many who has experienced discrimination during COVID-19 because he is Asian.
There are also many cases of discrimination in Vancouver, Canada.
Jacob, a fourth-year student fromthe University of British Columbia,

also symbolize an ignorance towards evil. In the context of#HealthNotHate, this proverbmeans that we do not turn a blindeye to vulnerable people when thehealth and well-being of our community is at stake. Global citizens
must recognize and combat the unnecessary amount of discriminationthat hinders our response to thecrushing pandemic of COVID-19.
#healthnotehate emphasizes theimportance of social distance while
denoting the notion of ethnic distance. After all, COVID-19 is ahealth problem, not a race problem.
The overwhelming issue is that people are associating COVID-19, abiological phenomenon, with theJust because it is easy to discrimiTop: Keigo Ichie trying to share theconcept of race. Admittedly, such annate against vulnerable minorities, action has its reasons within thediscrimination that he experienced
does not mean that we should. Inthrough YouTube.
current epidemic: people feel overly
stead, we must help each other. In
concerned about the virus and canAbove: #HealthNotHate’s home
this dire situation, people should
not afford to live. People lack a calm
page photofight for the equality of not only
state of mind and fail to correct
their own country’s citizens, but for wrongful actions such as discrimithat of foreign minorities as well.
explained terrible instances ofnation. Nonetheless, people must
Asian discrimination in Vancouver.
Many of us could hardly help but rethink their racist views and attiThere have been many instances of be shocked at this explosion of rac- tudes. After all, it is in such situaAsian discrimination: racist citizens ism. We too often fail to realize that tions as this, a global pandemic,
staining the wall of Vancouver’s
discrimination has a close relation- when compassion for one another isJapanese cultural center, and peoindispensable.
ship with ourselves. In truth, disple shouting derogatory remarks.
crimination is an extremely realistic
There was even an instance of asoccurrence present in everyone’s
Pictogram: Advertising physical dissault: a paranoid customer pushed lives. Discrimination must be eraditancing.
over an elderly Asian man, forcing
cated, and it will not easily
him to fall onto a hard sidewalk.
disappear.
There is also discrimination
One movement on the Inagainst Asians in France. Angeline, ternet, "#HealthNotHate,"
who attended France’s Nihon Go
fights to eradicate discrimiGakko, introduced me to the situa- nation. The model of thistion. When adults explained COVID movement comes from the-19 to young children, they would
Japanese proverb, “see nosay, "The Coronavirus originated in evil, speak no evil, hear no
Wuhan and we must not forgiveevil” (mi-zaru, kika-zaru, iwa
China. We also must not approach-zaru). The proverb describes
Asians because they likely possess
three monkeys who cover
COVID-19." To make matterstheir face, nose, and eyes
worse, many people criticize thosewith their hands. These
who eat Asian food because they
three monkeys not only repthink the food is “COVID infested.” resent a rejection of evil, but

August, 2020

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(３) COVID-19

Education

Pros and Cons of Online Learning
What can we learn from other countries?
By Miho SAKAIIn May 2020, Nagoya Universityof Foreign Studies implemented
online classes for the first time. It
was challenging for both students
and teachers to adapt to themquickly, but it was a big step to introducing technology into education.
Though online classes are admittedly quite useful, many problems,
including computer bugs and excessive screen exposure, accompany
online learning. In order to ask how
we can conduct online lectures andmake good use of them, I interviewed citizens from the US, theUK, Australia, Malaysia, China andJapan.
Originally, in-person classes werescheduled to start in the middle ofApril at NUFS, but it was regarded
as unsafe to teach at a school where
many students gathered. As a result, there was no choice but to conduct online lectures. Students andteachers who did not have a computer or the environment to usethem had to hurriedly prepare, andsome of them seemed to struggle touse Zoom or Google Meet duringclass as well.
Japanese universities took theirtime in conducting online classes,
only implementing them when theseverity of COVID-19 reached unprecedented levels. In contrast,
there are several universities inother countries that had adopted
online classes at much earlier stages in the COVID-19 epidemic. How
are students actually faring with
online classes?
Let’s hear the voices of overseas
and Japanese students regarding
their encounters with online learning.

First, the pros:

Online classes are clearly a viable cause I can not talk to teachers diand efficient alternative to physical rectly, and they do not always anclasses. After all, as Shackleford
swer immediately through email.”
mentioned, students can carry out
On the other hand, if classes ocmost classroom activities, including curred face-to-face, students would
in-class discussion and presentahave the chance to chat with teachtions, all from the comfort of theirers directly after class. To makeown home. Further, students whomatters worse, in online classes,
live far from school can avoid long
students might even be afraid tocommutes. Students can evenask questions where others canchoose when to study, watching pre- hear, which places an unnecessary
recorded classes whenever they de- burden on shy students.
sire. In other words, it doesn't matYusuke Goto (student from
Adan Semahu (student fromter where students are or what they NUFS, Japan, 20s) said, “Because
Southern Cross University, Austral- are doing, as long as they have inof online learning, the quality ofia, 20s) said, “I do not have to atternet access, they can succeed inclasses is deteriorating, and thetend classes on time as long as I
school.
amount of work is increasing. Many
submit homework later. So, if I'mlecturers don't conduct lectures
The cons:
busy, I can just watch the class reThough voices worldwide suggest properly, only assigning a lot ofcording any time I want. Teachers
work, and failing to teach properly.
that online learning might be theare easy going and trust students
This highlights the difference beway to go, Lee, Goto, and Zhu sugthat they will properly study, so I
tween ‘good teachers’ and ‘lazygest otherwise. Yuxuan Zhu, studon’t feel tired from taking online
teachers’.” Further, the teachersdent, 20s from Shandong, China,courses. Essentially, I can find asaid, “For me, it's a little bit incon- over assigning work may think that
good balance of studing and hobbeing at home makes it easier forvenient when I want to ask quesbies.”
students to learn, and respond bytions regarding online classes, beNoah Shackleford (Student of
University of Texas, America, 20s)
said, that “I live in an environment
geared towards online learning, sotaking classes online feels similar toin-person classes. I do have one hybrid class, and I have to physicallygo to school once a week for that, so
if I have questions, I can ask teachers directly. But I can also study
from home, which is convenient forme.”

Above: I interviewed them by Spatial.
Chat, Zoom and Skype. It is useful that
I talk with them even though we are
geographically far apart.
Left: NUFS students mainly download/
submit assignments and check theschedule for the next class by Google
Classroom

imposing more tasks than usual.
Admittedly, it is important for students to study, but if students receive too many assignments, it may
actually burden their learning.
Sherry Lee (student from Tunku
Abdul Rahman University, Malaysia, 20s) said, “online classes are
not efficient because you can’t express yourself properly. It is alsodifficult to engage with others, because some students simply pretend
to be attending class, when they are
actually playing games or doing
something else.” Teachers notknowing what students are actually
doing inevitably puts education towaste.

Post-COVID Education Style:Due to COVID-19, education andwork environments have been digitalized. Amidst this change, we canvery clearly see disparities in each
student’s ability to engage in online
education. In the face of this, universities have been taking
measures, such as lending PCs and
Wi-Fi routers to students for free,and such disparities have been
gradually disappearing.
Now that the medium of learning
has changed into the digital format,
the implementation of online classes may expand into other sectors ofbusiness and education, resulting ina drastic transformation of future
education systems. Despite thisdaunting and exciting potential forchange, we cannot forget that several students remain dissatisfied with
online classes. As we move forwardand develop online learning, it isnecessary to consider such students’needs, recognizing that many issues
must be solved as we pave the path
for a digitalized future.

(４) COVID-19

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

August, 2020

Teleworking
COVID-19’s New Business Style
Avoiding rush hour; working at home with family.
contracts. Nowadays, contract
transportation is completed by
By Nanako IWAYAMA‘cloud sign,’ which can deal with
official contracts. Stamping important documents is a Japanese
Today, many people work in their tradition, but it may fizzle away
own houses to protect themselveswith COVID-19.
from COVID-19. The virus has
Another young employee, whochanged everyone’s working style.
works at an IT company, expressed
What does the new working style,gratitude for the transition to telewhich functions remotely, look like? work. Thanks to working fromI asked people from different indus- home, he no longer needs to worry
tries what the new working styleabout senior workers as much. Belooks like for them.
fore the implementation of teleWe would assume that people in work, he constantly worried aboutsales jobs have trouble working the leaving a good impression on them.
same way that they did before
Such behaviour is extremely tiring
COVID-19. However, this is not the and old-fashioned. After the transicase. Kenjiro Iwayama, a sales
tion to telework, he quit buttering
worker, has been working at homeup older workers, instead focusing
for four months since the start ofon his work ethic. Telework allowed
the pandemic. At first, he was not
him to be evaluated by hard work
used to this working style. However, and numbers, rather than his abilhe came to realize that working
ity to please.
from home is better than working in
Other young employees working
the office.
in foreign consulting companies notThanks to teleworking, Iwayama no longer needs to wake up early to go to his office. This meansthat any stress associated with commuting on crowded transit has totally disappeared. Able to avoid
transit, Iwayama took advantage of
his early waking habits and began
making breakfast for his family. He
was even able to exercise in themorning, fitting 30 minutes of running into his morning schedule.
This not only improved Iwayama’s
health, but partially emancipatedhis wife from the burdens of housework. Iwayama expressed gratitude
to his wife after experiencing
firsthand the difficulties of housework.

ed that they stopped being perfectionists after transitioning to telework. They were able to deeply relax because they no longer had toworry about the gaze of others.
These younger employees also enjoyed the ability to take a rest when
they wanted. Each day’s goal is determined ahead of time, but the daily working schedule is decided byeach worker. If workers achieve
their goal, they can finish as earlyas they want and do whatever they
desire. The high degree of freedom
and low degree of stress that telework offers has become indispensable to younger workers.

Senior workers’ opinions regarding telework contrasts with those ofWith regards to work, Iwayama young employees. A worker of a
improved his efficiency. Working
pharmaceutical company claimed
online resulted in avoiding waste.
that face to face communication isWorkers carried out all meetings,
necessary to a successful contract
negotiations and reports online. Be- negotiation. The ability to directly
fore starting teleworking, Iwayaengage with customers gives him
ma’s company meetings required
more influence over their opinions.
almost an entire hour. However, as Essentially, he can directly convey
soon as his company implemented
his enthusiasm and force customers
online meetings, the meeting times to buy his products.
reduced to 30 minutes. My father
Another worker from a major
said that, strangely, in online meet- construction company claims that
ings, workers limit discussion to
he can hardly concentrate on workimportant things, allowing everyone ing because of his noisy children.
to leave the meeting faster.
Because he does not have a work

are many things that inspire one towork hard. These are necessary
items that allow employees to work
a long time with sustained concentration. Now, however, employees
work in their houses with cheap
Another bonus is that Iwayama
room at home, he must work in the chairs, desks and choppy wi-fi.
doesn’t need to wear a suit, no mat- living room. Naturally, other family Online meetings sometimes go noter how important the negotiation. members also spend time in thiswhere because of terrible wi-fi.
Suits are uncomfortable and most of room, interrupting his online meet- Moreover, sitting in cheap chairs
us despise wearing them for a long ings. Since the implementation of
and working on cheap tables contime. Thanks to his plain clothes,
telework, he has considered moving tributes to employees’ tiredness. To
Iwayama can work efficiently.
into a new house that has a sepasolve these problems, employees
rate work room. However, this costs must purchase office supplies. BeThough Iwayama’s experiencecause companies are the ones who
has been positive, opinions regard- a lot of money that the company is
not willing to pay.
implemented the transition to teleing telework vary between young
and senior employees. I enquired
If we desire to continue the new working, they should also shoulder
the responsibility of improving andinto the opinions of both groups.
trend of working online, there are
equalizing at-home work environOne young employee, who works at many issues that we must tackle.
ments.
a trading company, claimed that
Another issue is the loss of the oftelework is better because he does
fice atmosphere that inspires emIt is undeniable that telework
not have to visit clients nor bringployees. In employees’ offices, there has many advantages, especially

Top: Kenjiro Iwayama is working in his
living room. A dining table and achair turn into his office.
Above: Myoden Station of Tokyo Metro, many workers commute in crowded trains in the early morning.
Photograph: by Nanako Iwayama

from the perspective of young workers. Nonetheless, there exist various
problems that we must solve. The
most pressing of which is the barriers that prevent employees fromefficient and comfortable telework.
If there is even a slight possibility
that the new working style might
continue for a while, or even forever, companies should pull up theirsocks and improve support for their
new army of teleworkers.

August, 2020

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(５) COVID-19

Teleworking
Japan’s Immovable Working Style
Is teleworking a solution?
By Risa KONO

With the spread of COVID-19
and the accompanying declarationof the state of emergency, Japanesework styles face a major turning
point.
Since the government announced
a national state of emergency inearly April, local governments invarious parts of Japan requested afull shutdown of the service industry, including restaurants and retailstores. Along with this, the introduction of telework was encouraged
in various industries to limit unnecessary outings. To Japanese workers, who have not experienced out-of-office work styles in a long time,2020 is undeniably a year of greatchange.
How do actual workers view thesudden transition to telework? We
will hear the voices of two people,
who engage in two completely different types of work, about thechanges they have encounteredsince the declaration of the state of
emergency.
The first interviewee is Sumiko
Kono, a counselor who works in
Aichi Prefecture as a fiscal year appointed employee, that is, as a civil
servant, under the direction of thelocal government.
“Telework was originally introduced by the local government, but
it wasn’t allowed after the emergency was declared. And gradually myworking style returned to normal,”she says. In Sumiko’s office, in addition to ventilation and disinfection,
superiors implemented other infection control measures, such as forcing colleagues to work away fromeach other. These extra measures
greatly inhibited Sumiko’s work:“There were vinyl sheets between
desks, and it was prohibited to eat
lunch together, so it was very difficult to communicate with the team.”
Since Sumiko mainly counseled
students receiving compulsory education, counseling sessions werecanceled one after another during
the COVID-19 epidemic, and theamount of work plummeted.
Despite these drawbacks, Sumikoagreed with the introduction of telework in the future. “While teleworking, I functioned very efficiently. I
was saved the trouble of commuting
and constantly responding to telephone calls.” Not to mention, thecontracted area of Sumiko’s work isvery large; "it may take about 2hours for a round trip depending on
the client," she said.
However, according to Sumiko’s
predictions, local government organizations are hesitant to reformmust record ourtemperature
every morning,
and we mustalso collect visitor informationin case we musttrack down theroutes of infection.”
In contrast to
the thoroughimplementation
Graph: by Recruit Management So- of infection control, Kaho’s workplace is also returning to its prelutions Co.,Ltd
COVID-19 working style. “During
the state of emergency, the number
working styles, so it seems thatof projects at my work was small,there are no signs of introducing
but with the lifting of the state of
telework in the near future.
emergency, I’m now getting more
Kaho Kono, who, in April, started business trips and going to work
working for a temporary staffing
more frequently. In other words, we
company in Ota ward, Tokyo, did
are returning to our normal worknot have as positive an impression
ing style.”of teleworking. Kaho was worried
Two people who work in comthat she could not become close withpletelydifferent positions had comher new colleagues and boss after
pletelydifferent views on telework.
joining the company.
The fact that there was such a great“In April and May, my job wasdifference in awareness about teledone entirely through telework, and work seems to be due to the differI went to my workplace twice aences in industry as well as differmonth for only about an hour. I did- ences in experience.
n’t even have the opportunity to
In Recruit Management Solumeet with my colleagues, so I couldtions’emergency survey of telework,n’t remember who was in which porevealedon April 27th, 917 people
sition. Many of my friends, who
responded
to the question: “whatwork as new employees at otherskillsareneededin a telework envicompanies, are in the same situaronment?”
79.0%
responded, “Totion as me,” explains Kaho.
communicate information and reAt Kaho’s work, employees some- quests in an easy-to-understandtimes visit other companies, so inmanner with texts,” 66.3% respondfection control is carefully done.
ed, “Keeping myself in control,” and“Alcohol disinfection is essential
65.1% responded, “selfwhen entering the building, andmanagement.” In particular, theventilation is always running. We
skill of self-management has proved

Above: Rush hour at Fushimi subway
station (a business district in Nagoya
City, Aichi prefecture) more than amonth after the declaration of
emergency.
Photograph: by Risa Kono, June2020

to be difficult for new employees
who have no experience in theworkplace. This difference in experience may negatively affect workers’
satisfaction of teleworking.
Sumiko’s and Kaho’s comments
illustrate that the reasons for introducing telework are not limited tothe prevention of COVID-19. With
the end of the first wave of the infection, telework has already beenabolished in many workplaces as
they return to their original working styles. However, teleworking
can be a great support for workers
who face difficult commutes, injuries, illnesses, or even pregnancy,
and those who must work withoutleaving home, such as those who
engage in childcare, elderly care,and nursing. It's too disappointing
for companies to undo their efforts
for telework that they have built
quickly and efficiently. It may be
important to think of telework as an
option, rather than something thatis simply good or bad, in order tocreate a less restrictive work environment.
It is true that the separation andfear brought by COVID-19 left adeep wound in people’s hearts.
However, adopting new working
styles through this plight may leadto a more flexible and comfortableworking environment.

(６) COVID-19

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

August, 2020

Doctors and Nurses on the Frontline
How can we support our COVID-19 soldiers?
By Saori MORITA

Recently, many people in Japan
have been expressing concerns
regarding the current war against
COVID-19 in hospitals. How are we
supporting the nurses and doctors
on the frontline of this war? What
are our options for helping healthworkers? In order to answer thesequestions, we will compare methodsof supporting health workers in
different countries.
Recently, people can fine donation
boxes in some Japanese supermarkets or department stores. However, according to two surveys on Instagram, about 70% of the Japanese
students surveyed have never donated their money through theseboxes.
There are various reasons why
most Japanese students fail to donate money to health workers. For
starters, only about 45% of students
pay attention to the news regarding
medical workers. Further, Japanesecannot go outside freely, whichmakes it difficult for students todonate their money.
If there were online donation systems, the Japanese would be more
likely to donate their money. In Japan, donation boxes are an ordinary
way to donate money, but othercountries use online donations via,
for example. online stores. Japan
should establish a similar donation
system.
In addition to online donation
systems, Japan could further support health workers through encouraging private donation. Celebrities around the world have been
supporting their country’s healthworkers. Angeline Farres, a student
at Jean-Moulin University Lyon 3,
said that various French celebrities
and influencers have donated money to hospitals. According to Malcolm Orsi, a student at the University of Turin, relayed that plenty of
famous Italian people, such as politicians, influencers, singers, athletes, sent different types of donations to strengthen the infrastructure of hospitals and overcome

tual support.
The information above
brings to light a few
heartwarming ways inwhich we can assist
those battling COVID-19
on the frontlines. However, this is not to saythat all countries havebeen providing ample
support for their healthworkers. Rinka Saito, ahigh school student from
Orland, noted that people in America are experiencing various tragedies, resulting in fewer
visible support for
health workers. Due tothe current protests
against racial discrimination in America, people are hardly concernedwith supporting healthworkers.
In the best-case scenario, public healthcare
systems themselves
strategically encourage
the public to support
health workers. Nina
Hamasaki, a student at
the University of Tasmania, points out that Australia has a publichealthcare system. Thismeans that health workers’ salaries, including
general practitioners,
dentists, and community
health workers, arefunded by the government. Such healthcare
Above: A donation box in the supersystems,
where
the government
market,which supports healthcare
COVID-19.
pays for people who cannot afford toworkers in Nagoya City,Aichi prefecMany countries have decided to
go to the hospital, naturally result
ture.
bypass donations and directly supin positive public opinion regarding
ply health workers with a daily ne- Photograph: by Saori Morita on June
health workers, and in increased
1st, 2020.
cessity: food. In Canada, some respublic support. Other countries
taurant chains are providing freeVancouver’s apartments and condo- should recognize the multifaceted
meals for health workers. In Ausbenefits that arise from public
miniums go outside every night totralia, various restaurants andhealthcare systems.
make sounds with their pots andcafes prepare ready-to-go meals forpans, screaming positive remarks to
In this article, we have focused on
hospitals. Moreover, in Japan, somecheer on hospitals. These acts deglobal
support and donations tolocal bento shops are supporting
velop a sense of community and mu- wards healthcare workers that
medical workers by providing freetual support. Similarly to Canadistruggle to quell COVID-19. Thoughbento boxes.
ans, French people have also been
many countries still encounter probJacob Teichrib, a student at thecheering on health workers. Farres lem in the wake of COVID-19, theUniversity of British Columbia,
said that people in France join toabove actions by celebrities and theCanada, said that people living ingether to celebrate doctors every
public allow us to think that people
night at 8 pm with a round of aphave tender hearts. In order toplause.
overcome COVID-19, countries like
Public support has also arisen in the United States must follow theexample of countries such as Canavisual forms. Orsi said that Miloda, Italy, and Japan. The operations
Manara, an Italian comic artist,
dedicated some illustrations to the of healthcare systems are difficult
to mobilize quickly, but we cannot
women working in hospitals. Disdeny that healthcare systems areplaying feelings of appreciation isimportant to protect people’s lives.
good for health workers. In such
People should continue to deeply
depressing times, people should
consider how we can support these
support each other. It is heartsystems. Public support of healthwarming to witness news thatshows humans coming together and workers will help us recover fromovercoming COVID-19 through mu- the current pandemic, and generate
peace.

August, 2020

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(７) COVID-19

Special Contributions
Grasping the Phantomof COVID-19
By Jacob TEICHRIB
Contributing Writer

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon apiece of street art that I realized
what current news coverage of thepandemic lacks. The graffiti hit me
abruptly. Perched on a beach wall,
it elicited shock fromthe surrounding emptiness. The bold,
evocative lines andsaturated colours
shoved me, momentarily, into the beliefof the unbelievable—
I could grasp thephantasmal virus
haunting everyday
life.
Throughout the
COVID pandemic,
the overwhelming
discourse trend has
revolved around graphs and charts.
One of The New York Times’ recent
boasts regarding the pandemic wasits tracking system for the virus—
according to Sarah Bures, thenewspaper’s records “had no equivalent in the public sector” (2020).
Even public rhetoric, ceaselessly
chanting about ‘flattening the
curve,’ has embraced wholeheartedly the messaging of data.
When it comes to a world-wide
pandemic, however, graphs don’t

cut it. Though we stipulate them as
the epitome of objectivity, theirlines subjectively muzzle the pandemic’s humanistic underbelly. Renowned cultural critic, Michel De
Certeau, notes the shortcomings ofdata in The Practice of Everyday
Life: a map “only refer[s], likewords, to the absence of what has
passed by, [and] in doing so it causes a way of being in the world to beforgotten.” In a depressingly similarway, the graphs and curves tracking COVID-19 lose what has passed
by: lost loved ones, sorrow, andStreet art: ＠ponywave poses next to
her graffiti art.

to palpably perceive an invisible
virus, logical explanations and facts
are not enough. With 0.14% of theworld’s population having contracted COVID-19 (according to WHO),
many have yet to personally encounter the virus. COVID media
speaks to a phantasmal reality inwhich we must believe, even if wehave never lived it ourselves. To
many, the virus is a phantom. We
depend on media to perceive thisphantom, and our vapid computer
screens aren’t helping us.

The boundary of a screen, whichchops reality into “here” and“there,” disappears in the presence
Photo: taken by Maxim Puchkov
of street art. We cannot avert oureyes from a screen; the murals’lonely deaths in quarantine.
message enthralls us where we
If it's not graphs, it’s specialists
stand. Whether street art capturesand politicians pleading that wea moment of human embrace orstay home and avoid complacency,
fear, it is the tangible representaor an endless river of alerts, dings, tion of COVID-19 that we so desand banners. But this overwhelmperately need. The evocative nature
ing tsunami of information stillof graffiti brings to life COVID’smisses the point—if we want people deadly spectre.

citizens and businesses vulnerable

In order to grapple with COVID19, without getting caught in a
Catch-22, art is indispensable.
What takes the form of a phantom
on our computer screens becomes
unavoidable and demanding in artists’ vivid strokes. Art recognizes atruth that marketing agencies realized decades ago: people don’t respond to logic nor to skeletalsketches of data. Rather, they respond to emotion, to raw, and refreshing stimuli. If we want people
to truly grasp the gravity of COVID-19, we need something enthralling
and tangible.
In an interview
with CNBC,@ponywave, a tattoo
artist who turned tostreet art during
COVID-19, shared amessage that news
agencies shouldtake to heart: “Thebest chance tochange something iswhen you have no
choice. … It's timeto create somethingnew.” News media
needs to remodel itself; the ghostly,
ungraspable nature of COVID-19
gives it no choice. Current news
expects us to sense the pandemic
through data and words, which arenothing more than vacant skeletonson our screens. What we yearn for,however, is art, art that strikes us
and continues ringing, like a bell,
inside our souls.

timing of the 2020 Olympics in Jaweek during the pandemic or there
pan. The Japanese government did has been lump sums given to. Altnot announce COVID-19 as a panhough there are still many issues
demic until the day after the Olym- and not everyone has been fortuHiroko Tokumoto, lecturer frompics was cancelled. Hospitals, uninate to receive this money, it has
NUFS, has said that she has had toversities and other industries had to been life-saving for many. This may
source news about the COVID-19
By Nina HAMASAKI
prepare for the pandemic without
be due to many factors, includingfrom news articles online and fromthe guidance and support of thedifference in political structures,
Contributing Writer
overseas in order to have more accugovernment.
taxation, economic and cultural difrate and up to date information.
ferences, therefore the comparison
Not only has the Japanese govDespite being a global pandemic, Particularly at the beginning when
may not necessarily be equal becases were discovered outside ofernment delayed information reinformation about Japan’s fighttween Japan and Australia. Howevgarding COVID-19, its actions haveagainst the COVID-19 has been lim- China, the Japanese mainstream
er, it is clear that there is still a
media did not adequately report on not been clear to struggling Japaited, not only internationally but
long way to go in order for Japan to
COVID-19 as a threat to Japan.
nese citizens. Japan did follow suitwithin Japan itself. Although havsupport its citizens.
Masako Chimura, healthcare work- of other countries by eventually
ing a relatively low spread of theer from Kyoto, has said she has re- closing businesses and implementIt seems that although the Japainfection in comparison to otherliedonGoogleNews,
Facebookandingsocialdistancing
rules
but
have
nese
government itself has beencountries, the response from theothersocialmedia
andoverseas
notprovidedmeaningful
assistance
performing
unrealistically and disJapanese government regarding thenewssourcestobeinformedabout
beyondthesemeasures.
Financialconnected
from
its citizens’ strugpandemic has been disappointing. It
thedangersof
COVID-19
andpreassistance
in
Japan
has
been
diffigles,
individual
mayors from jurisis not to say that Japan and its govcautions
that
must
be
taken.
culttoattainwith
littletonoonlinedictionssuchasOsaka have beenernment have not taken any actionaccess,andfunding
being
limitedtoactiveinsupportingits constituentsat all, rather, there was significant
Even as COVID-19 began toroughly
$1000
(USD)
per
personininpractical
andmeaningful
ways.
delay in response and inadequate
spread outside of China, Japan did
a
lump
sum.
Furthermore,the
govAccording
totheinterviewees,
thisaction taken in dealing with a glob- not close its borders to travellers
ernment
sending
eachhousehold
in
is
the
sort
of
leadership
that
they
al disease. It has been confronting
from China, despite being a close
Japan two masks each, further con- expect to see and that the current
to see the difference in reaction byneighbour. Although its response
the Australian government and me- was not perfect, the borders in Aus- firms that it is a response detached government must be reformed. The
dia in comparison to Japan and the tralia where closed to those arriving from reality, insulting to many who current leading government in Jahave lost their lives, jobs and stud- pan must now face scrutiny by its
consequences that have followed.
from China as a preventative measies during COVID-19.
citizens on the insufficient steps
As seen in countries such as Chi- ure even before the WHO antaken during this pandemic. With
nounced a global pandemic. It is
In Australia there has been signa and the USA, news and infornational elections for the House ofnificant increase in access to finanmation surrounding COVID-19 did true that the Japanese economy
Representatives coming closer, therelies heavily on tourism, exports
cial assistance for businesses andnot reach its citizens immediately
people of Japan must vote to ensure
individuals who have lost work due
after the virus was identified as an and imports from China, meaningthat they have a ‘representative’
that there would be reluctance toto the pandemic, are unemployed,
extreme health hazard. There wasgovernment, who acts according totake drastic steps. Both interviewor are students. For example, busisignificant downplaying of its serithe best interests of its citizens andousness and urgency to take action ees expressed that Japan’s delayed nesses have been given funding towith reliable leadership during a
response is most likely due to thepay staff members $750 (AUD) per
by authorities in charge, leaving
global crisis.

A Disappointing Re- and misinformed. Japan has notbeen too dissimilar in this respect.
sponse to COVID-19

(８) COVID-19

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

August , 2020

Art industry
COVID-19’s Struggling Music industry
Is art really unnecessary?

days after its opening. One of thereasons for this was controversial
use of the governmental budget.
People cast doubt on the exhibition
because it had been funded 78 million yen by the Japanese Agency of
Cultural Affairs. Some people were
not happy that taxes were allocatedto the sensational exhibition although this event did not intend to
express any political position. However, if the audience lacks educationof art appreciation, subsidies by
public organizations could control
the eyes of the citizens.
Assuming that even the governmental aid could be harmful, what
would be the best solution for theart industry to survive? Private donations are one effective solution tothese issues, and it could also be ameans of measuring public awareness of the arts.

Above: Caring for of the wind instru-

Giving USA 2018, which investigates charitable givings in the United States, provides interesting data
regarding private donations. The
total amount of donations, countrywide, was 410 billion dollars in
2017. Over 5%, 19.5 billion dollars,
was for the arts, culture and humanities. Most importantly, donations to the arts were reported tohave grown at the second-fastest
rate. The above data illustrate thatthe arts can be influenced by private donations as opposed to governmental ones.

Uemura Gakki, a musical instrument, Uemura musical instrument
By Nanako ISHIDA
store in Nagoya City, Aichi prefecture.
ments store in Nagoya city, “allinstrument lessons were cancelled
the Japanese Agency of Cultural
In the middle of February,for 2 months because of the state of Affairs, the budget for art and culCOVID-19 became a source of worry emergency. Some instructors comto many of us. Soon after, this wor- pletely lost their source of income.” tural policy was 107.7 billion yen in During the pandemic, people in2018. The amount is much smaller volved in the arts have greatly sufry transformed into a global panIn addition, officials called off inthan European countries. France’s fered because the public does notdemic, wreaking havoc on humanstrument fairs in June. Hitoshi
Ministry of Culture, which prolife, and sparing no part of civiliza- Uemura, the CEO of the company,
place much emphasis on the arts intion. One of the most devasted sec- mentioned: “we had no choice but to motes the arts allotted Φ3.5 billion
comparison to the basic needs of(approximately 485.1 billion yen)tors of human life is the arts. Relife. The artists would be supported
cancel the lessons, and even now
for the 2017 budget. Germany also by subsidies from governments if
cently, in Osaka, a crowd of people that we have resumed them, somehighly prioritizes the arts, spending they cannot get enough salary unenjoying a live performance conpeople still hesitate to attend.” It
tracted COVID-19. This resulted in will clearly take a long time for the Φ1.6 billion (about 217.4 billion yen) der the pandemic. In Japan, enjoya “cluster” of COVID-19. Music ven- shops to return to business as usu- in 2017, according to BKM(Beauft- ing the art is considered to be nothragte der Bundesregierung für Kul- ing more than a hobby that is not
ues nationwide had to shut downal.
tur und Medien). Although Japan’s an important part of daily life. In
for an undetermined amount ofgovernmental budget for the arts
Unfortunately,
the
idea
of
takingtime. The concerts and stages thatorder to revive the arts in Japan,
has steadily expanded for 10 years art lovers need to take the lead andlessons,andenjoying
instruments
citizens expected to attend werein a row, it is obviously much more engage in the kind of philanthropy
has been laid by the wayside since
canceled. Music lovers, and memfrugal than the budgets in Europe. that we see in the United States.
theoutbreakof
COVID-19.
Becausebers of the art community, must
musicstoreshave
beentakinghave felt blue to hear the news.
We must be donating to the work ofThough we can assign a concretemeasures to prevent infection, such
COVID-19 continually deprives us a devaluation of instruments is un- dollar sign to the arts, art is one of artists. After all, the arts are one of
the most important ways to heal
the most difficult terms to defineof entertainment as it becomes
necessary, yet still, music stores are
and encourage us during such deand measure. Masako Umegaki,
more serious. We cannot access live barely slugging along.
pressing times as the current panprofessor at Nagoya University ofart, such as live music, or plays. In
demic.
Foreign Studies, stated that
Why are people so reluctant toaddition to art lovers’ feelings of“peoples” attitudes toward art are
attend? People’s ways of thinking
disappointment, artists and those
are the key to this question, Firstly, not measured by the amount of theinvolved in the art industry havebudget. It is not so simple.” Rather,
rapidly lost their source of income. people want to avoid being blamed
the thing that influences public attifor catching the virus through an
It is now impossible for artists toappear in front of the public, and as enjoyable activity. Second, the ma- tude towards the arts is the way inwhich the budget is directed, allotjority of people do not place mucha result, the businesses associatedwith art have been facing a predica- emphasis on the arts in comparison ted, and used. There is a risk, forexample, that governments use theto bread and butter. Adults espement. Their lives are becoming
cially tend to make careful decisions budget in dishonest ways to control
harder and harder.
when it comes to attending lessons. the public opinion of the arts.
Unlike grocery stores, pharmacies,
Looking back in history, we can
In contrast with the current situaand hardware stores, which havenoticeinstances when the Japanesetion surrounding the music indusremained in business during the
Agencyof Cultural Affairs disprotry, the arts are relatively familiar
pandemic, cultural and artistic faportionately
allotted funds to certo us since our childhoods. In Jacilities have been completely shuttain
artists
inorder to suede publicpan, art classes such as music, finedown. Venues such as museums,
opinion.
The
Aichi
Triennale 2019
art, and calligraphy are mandatory
theaters, and concert halls are notart
festivalisagreat
example offor all students from elementary toconsidered to be essential foundathis.
Astatueofagirl,calledtions for our lives, so they are inevi- high school. However, Japanese“comfort
woman”
hadbeen
put onadults express little interest in thetably shut down. But is art reallydisplay.
Afterreceiving
constant
something that we should prioritize arts when compared to European
criticism and intimidation, the exhi- Above: Hand sanitizer in a lesson
nations.
so lowly?
bition closed down within only three room forcing participants to sanitize
their hands upon entering.
According to a report published byAccording to the president of

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