Sharing this article again by @lisadont as I see many people asking where the vaccines are in Japan and why the government isn't rushing them out.

Suga addressed this today, confirming that Japan would seek to start vaccinations in late Feb. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/a-bitter-vaccine-history-means-hurdles-for-japan-s-covid-fight?sref=tXumBMhb

Here's a look at the timetable, which still appears to be in place based on Suga's remarks today. Preparation IS being done, down to the level of the format of the coupons you'll get in the post to exchange for your shot. But yes the rollout is slower than elsewhere.

What follows are my own thoughts on this subject.

1) It would be counterproductive for Japan to rush vaccines out given the long history of public distrust. Japan can't compel people to get vaccines so it needs public buy-in. A thorough review of the data is needed for this.

2) Rollouts in places like the U.S. and U.K. are bad examples from Japan's perspective. The pandemic is absolutely out of control in these countries, whereas you were *less* likely to die from a respiratory ailment in Japan last year than in almost any other year

3) Just as you would drink from a dirty stream if you were literally dying of thirst but not if you were just slightly parched, it makes sense for countries devastated by the pandemic to roll out vaccines as quickly as possible - basically the alternative couldn't be worse

4) But that's simply not the case in Japan at the moment. Despite the surge, Japan has about as many cases/day (in absolute terms) as Ireland does, and a *total* of around 3,500 deaths. Combined with skepticism, it makes to take time, get buy-in and not be seen to do a rush job

5) Does the state of emergency change this logic? Possibly -- but it depends on what it looks like. The first SOE was devastating to the economy and livelihoods. A new one might not be so bad but anything that works to reduce virus spread will have serious impact

6) I think that's reflected in Suga's changing stance on getting the vaccine himself. Before he said he'd wait his turn, whereas today he said he'd be among the first. Japan's government is unpopular and Suga himself lacks the public touch. But at the end of the day it's..

7).. the public who have to decide to receive the vaccine and for the same logic as above, many simply wouldn't if given the choice now. Polls indicate that most are ok with receiving it *eventually* i.e. after others have gone first.

8) Important to note this isn't Western anti-vaxx nonsense. This is also informed by skepticism over past govt bungling like HIV-tainted blood scandal and missing pensions scandal. Buy-in is crucial and any rush-job will make it harder esp. if the vaccine does have side-effects.

9) Are there other countries going faster that have a better pandemic situation than Japan? Sure. Why are they doing that? I don't know. If the pandemic has taught us anything it's that situations and solutions differ from country to country. /end