Regarding the April 25 Media Mix column headlined “A decentralization opportunity goes begging amid COVID-19 outbreak,” it is said that some revolutionary changes need a huge power to trigger them, which sometimes means massive destruction. The metric system was successfully introduced when the French revolution occurred. I think the COVID-19 outbreak can bring about not only disastrous turmoil but also iconic changes.
The government is allowing online diagnoses, which had been vehemently opposed by one of Japan’s biggest lobbyists. Abolishing the requirement for physical documents and seal- or hanko-based bureaucratic procedures may follow. Not only central government institutes but also large companies have no choice but to relocate their offices out of Tokyo to adapt to new ways. I hope that Japanese citizens will successfully get over the coronavirus pandemic, while they can get some fruits from the calamity.
Shuichi John Watanabe
Sakai, Osaka Prefecture