Five years have passed since the infection incident on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which became a significant event in the context of globalization and public health. Professor Iijima, an expert in infectious disease history at Nagasaki University, emphasized that "Japan has a political culture that does not conduct verification" when addressing the incident's aftermath.
The Diamond Princess, flagged under the British flag and operated by an American company, hosted crew and passengers from 56 different countries and regions. About 80% of the passengers were elderly. This diverse demographic highlights modern issues such as the aging society and inequality, as many crew members hailed from Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia. The incident also reflects the changing dynamics of cruising, where shorter trips have become more common, leading to an increase in passengers and exposing weaknesses in infection control measures.
When a Hong Kong man, who had boarded the cruise from Yokohama but disembarked in Hong Kong, was found to be infected with COVID-19, it set off a chain of events that led to the quarantine of everyone on board. The Japanese government instituted a 14-day quarantine early in the incident, but opinions remain divided on whether this was the correct course of action. Critics argue that all passengers should have been disembarked promptly.
There were significant logistical challenges in the form of inadequate healthcare capacity in Japan to accommodate all passengers who needed medical attention. As more analysis is carried out, Iijima points out that it's important to review each decision made during the crisis instead of solely labeling them right or wrong. This approach will provide the necessary lessons for future developments.
One major question that lingers is why the verification process of the response has stagnated. Iijima attributes this to a broader political culture in Japan that avoids thorough assessments of events like the Diamond Princess incident. He notes that, too often, verification is equated with assigning blame, which stifles constructive critique. "Verification work is not about assigning blame; it's about clarifying the facts and learning lessons for the future," he explains.
While over ¥100 trillion was allocated over three years for COVID-19 measures, the important audits only highlight the problematic areas discovered. Iijima laments that aspects where objectives were met are absent from these documents, leading to a skewed perception of the entire allocation process.
Furthermore, he advocates for the establishment of independent investigative committees with substantial authority for conducting verification on pandemic responses and similar events. Creating an independent entity allows for an objective examination of responses, as those involved cannot be expected to assess their actions straightforwardly. Such committees could impartially evaluate decisions made during times of crisis, ensuring that lessons are learned for future scenarios.
Reflecting on the Diamond Princess incident, it stands as not only a cautionary tale but also a reminder of the complex interplay between health, policy, and societal structures. Professor Iijima’s perspectives underline the need for transparency and critical examination as humanity prepares for potential future pandemics.
