Referring to a Sankei Shimbun editorial, this article criticizes WHO for claiming in the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak that there was no human-to-human transmission and that travel bans were unnecessary. It examines WHO’s pro-China stance, the exclusion of Taiwan, the unity between Tedros and China, and argues for WHO reform and the removal of its director-general.

April 17, 2020
At the point in January of this year when the infection began to spread, WHO was insisting that “there is no human-to-human transmission” and that “there is no need for travel bans across borders.”
The following is from an editorial published yesterday in the Sankei Shimbun, now the most decent newspaper in Japan, the newspaper that reports facts, under the title “Strongly Demand WHO Reform.”
The emphasis in the text is mine.
President Trump announced that the United States would suspend its contributions to the World Health Organization, WHO.
He also pointed out that WHO’s “pro-China” position in its response to the novel coronavirus was a cause of the global spread of infection.
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres immediately issued a statement saying that “this is not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of WHO in the fight against the virus,” and called for reconsideration.
What must be avoided most at this moment is the dysfunction of WHO.
Trump’s method is certainly rough.
However, Trump’s criticism that “WHO spread China’s false information” is correct.
At the point in January of this year when the infection began to spread, WHO was insisting that “there is no human-to-human transmission” and that “there is no need for travel bans across borders.”
The issue in which its pro-China posture appeared most conspicuously was the exclusion of Taiwan.
When criticism gathered against the foolish policy of creating a blank zone in the fight against infectious disease, WHO Director-General Tedros began to say that he had received “slander including racism” from Taiwan.
A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry also said that China “strongly condemns personal attacks and racist words and actions against Tedros,” and stated that the purpose of Taiwan’s request to participate in WHO was “independence,” declaring firm opposition.
This is a case that clearly shows that Tedros and China are one.
If the head of an organization that should stand at the forefront of the international community’s united fight against infectious disease is swayed by the political intentions of one country, it is impossible to place trust in it.
U.S. contributions to WHO amount to 400 to 500 million dollars a year, the largest in the world.
Going forward, the U.S. government will spend 60 to 90 days verifying the actual state of WHO’s efforts in this matter.
The suspension of contributions is a strict warning by the United States.
During this period, WHO should hurry to reform itself.
Specifically, this means replacing the director-general.
The Japanese government has decided on additional contributions totaling about 15 billion yen to several international organizations, including WHO.
Strengthening the functions of WHO is extremely important.
However, it cannot be acceptable simply to provide money while saying nothing.
Toward the normalization of WHO, Japan must raise its voice loudly on the points that must be asserted.
The fight against the virus will probably be long-term, and WHO is required to function as the command center for all mankind.
Is it not already impermissible to continue placing at its head a person who cannot bear that responsibility?