In an effort to stop further spread of the Corona Virus, Japans Health Ministry is exploring the possibility of cracking down on asymptomatic citizens who aren’t following the necessary precautions. There are even penalties by law being considered to be put into place for those who are infected who aren’t self isolating or seeking treatment. However, establishing such laws would violate the countries constitution which allows for free travel at any time. The Japan health administration proposed that an amendment needs to be added in order to get around this roadblock. Some of the criminal penalties being considered for those infected who refuse to take the necessary precautions are a fine of 10,000 dollars, or even a prison sentence of up to a year. The NHK did a poll asking 3600 people if compulsory measures were enforceable my amendable law. The results were divided with 42% saying it was necessary, 19% saying it was unnecessary, and 38% still undecided.
This article scars me a little bit. I’m not specifically afraid of Japan slowly changing their constitution and depriving people of some of their basic rights, but I’m afraid of a less developed country following suit. For example, a government, with the goal of establishing a dictatorship, could hide behind the virus in order to change the landscape of the previously established government. Although it is unlikely, it is just a little bit frightening to me that when countries are in a state of emergency they gain power that could theoretically be used for evil things.
In class, we discussed the idea that some countries have more value to do their location. It is this idea, in connection with my ideas about some governments gaining too much power, makes me think about the possibility of a world power intervening in a strategically important location. Because if a country that is a strategic ally of a world power is having governmental issues, then we could see some form of conflict from a world power to prevent anything drastic from happening.