In
recent days with constant talk of the virus spreading worldwide the
term Syakaidekiyori
社会的距離
(social
distancing),
or practice of keeping a safe distance in order to prevent the spread
of disease, has been circulating in the public forum as a new idea.
However, in Japan this social distancing has been the way of life for
a very long time. How is it that Japan being so close to China has
experienced a relatively slow spread of the virus in comparison with
other countries?
( https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
)
In
most areas of Japan people live in very close proximity to one
another due to living on a densely populated island. Japanese
culture, although highly respectful, does not generally include
touching. In fact, Japanese people generally keep their distance from
one another in daily interactions. They rarely speak with strangers
either. (A stranger being considered one outside of their immediate group.) This
does not mean that they are cold or uncaring. On the contrary they
are taught from a young age to be aware of each other at all times.
This skill is known as 'reading the air'. So, during flu season it is
typical for Japanese people to wear masks to prevent spread of
sicknesses, though in America we would consider this weird. If they
have serious symptoms they will generally stay home from school or
work rather than spread it. Also most public stores have
hand-sanitizers located at entries and restrooms. Japanese are also
taught at a young age to wash their hands and gargle when coming in
from outside. Some public drinking fountains here in buildings have
signs saying “No Gargling” as it is an instilled habit of many to
do so when walking in from outside to clear possible throat germs.
There is generally a strong sense of shame in spreading sickness to
others. Each year in Japan various schools will shut down if they
suspect that a certain percentage of students have the flu. All of
these factors are likely reasons as to why the virus is spreading
slowly here in Japan.
When
I first came to Japan I thought that wearing masks was silly as
well, so I did not do it. I rode the train into Tokyo each day for
language school through flu season with no mask and a normal
hand-washing routine. That winter I was sick for three weeks
altogether. The factor of adjusting to a new country's diseases as
well as being in close proximity to others daily on the train led to
my sicknesses increasing. However, the very next year I practiced
social distancing habits by wearing a mask, avoiding sick looking
people, and washing my hands after every train trip in and out of
Tokyo. The results? I was only sick for one week that winter!
Personally, I do think that social distancing has its merits
especially in a time of worldwide virus spreading. The downsides are that people are very cautious when talking to others about religious matters. Please pray for openings to share the gospel with these people!
