Japan May Restrict Entry of Foreigners if New type of Flu Breaks Out

Nicole Shevlin
Japan May Restrict Entry of Foreigners if New Type of Flu Breaks Out
Japan Today
Thursday, April 10th, 2007
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-mulls-curbing-entry-of-foreigners-if-new-type-of-flu-breaks-out
Summary
This article is about how Japan made the decision on Wednesday that they will forbid all travelers from where influenza originates to come into the country if any type of disease begins to make people sick. Government officials in Japan are taking many steps to make sure the disease doe not enter to country, such as suspending visa insurances and only allow these certain places to land and deport from certain areas. All of the people hit by the “flu” will be authorized to stay in special hotels and facilities were other people are also infected. It says that once the disease is gone, government officials will make the decision to allow these people back into the country.
Reactions:
A. This article relates to the AP theme of Interactions between humans and the environment because it is explaining how Japan is reacting and “resolving” the issues of spreading influenza. It is showing how Japanese officials are not trying to find a cure and help the people who are infected, but just ignore the situation. This article is explaining how the officials are discriminating against these sick citizens who may just be seeking help, and are just showing them the “cold shoulder”.
B. The historical background on this issue is that many people, in not just Japan, but all over the world don’t always help people who are sick. In many situations, many people just ignore the sickness until they are infected/effected. Many years ago, and in some rare cases today, some people died/will die from this virus unless it has serious medical attention.
C. The point of view on this article is most likely someone who agrees with what the Japanese officials are saying. Although no author is provided, this person is most likely an insider from Japan, but does not deal with the issue themselves.
D. There are many points in this article that indicated the author’s point of view. He/she says how these sick people have to stay in different places, have there visa possibly suspended, and will not be aloud in the country. This person implies that these officials are making the right decision, and should not allow these people to be in contact with the rest of the world.
E. The point of view that is missing from this article is someone that is infected with influenza. I would really like to hear about how they feel about getting “kicked out” of Japan for something that they can not control at all. I would like to see if they agree with what Japan is doing of if they disagree. I also want to see if they agree with the fact that they have to live away from the rest of the world.
F. I think that Japan should not be discriminating against these people that are sick. I think that they need to help these people get better instead of ignoring them. I think it is a good idea that they are creating separate places for these people to stay, but I don’t think that their visa’s should be suspended, and I don’t think they should not be aloud in the country.