Published on January 27, 2020. Through Sankei Shō, this article criticizes the spread of the new pneumonia originating in Wuhan, China, the Chinese government’s habitual concealment of information, and the slow response of the Japanese government. Referring to the suspension of group travel from China, the lockdown of Wuhan, and evacuation measures by other countries, it argues that Japan should prioritize the safety of its own people over concern for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit.

January 27, 2020
The fact that that country, which is so skilled at concealing information that the screen immediately turns black when NHK’s international broadcast airs news inconvenient to China, is going this far is proof that a grave situation is occurring.
The following is from today’s Sankei Shō.
On a Friday night, payday, I had a drink in Shimbashi, felt a little bolder, and got into a taxi.
After a while, a bright red Tokyo Tower suddenly came into view.
What?
Had I become so drunk that I had wandered into a near-future TOKYO occupied by some country?
As I looked at it in surprise, the kind driver told me, “Apparently it is being lit up bright red on the eve of the Lunar New Year to welcome tourists from China.”
It is said that Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito, also rushed to the lighting ceremony and offered his congratulations, but is this really the time to be so leisurely?
This year’s Lunar New Year is different from usual.
The new pneumonia originating in Wuhan, China, has seen the number of deaths and severe cases increase at an accelerating pace, and there is not even a sign that it will come under control.
At the strong request of the Chinese government, group travel from China has been completely suspended from today.
In Wuhan city, even the driving of cars has been prohibited, and it has become a complete “sealed-off city.”
The fact that that country, which is so skilled at concealing information that the screen immediately turns black when NHK’s international broadcast airs news inconvenient to China, is going this far is proof that a grave situation is occurring.
Even though it would not be strange to advise against travel to all of China, the Japanese government’s response was far too slow.
The United States, France, South Korea, and other countries prepared chartered planes and buses to rescue their citizens left behind in Wuhan.
At last, on the 26th, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated a policy of bringing home all those who wished to return.
If the government’s slow movement was out of consideration for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Japan this spring, then it is putting the cart before the horse.
First of all, there is absolutely no need to invite as a state guest a person who has not even made a single phone call to Prime Minister Abe saying, “I am sorry for causing trouble.”
In this emergency, the Diet is filled only with leisurely discussions about what happened with the cherry blossoms and so on.
Members of the Diet, don’t just live absentmindedly!