‘Abe the aristocrat’: Japan PM’s ‘stay home’ Twitter appeal attracts scorn amid coronavirus pandemic

Shinzo Abe’s video message incensed many who cannot remain at home because Japan’s social distancing policy is voluntary and uncompensated

The video, featuring Abe in genteel surroundings cuddling his dog and sipping tea, was also criticised for being out of touch with ordinary citizens

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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe adjusts his face mask as he arrives to speak to the media in Tokyo earlier this month. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:32am, 14 Apr 2020Updated: 11:13pm, 14 Apr 2020

Perhaps the best that can be said about a “stay home” tweet from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is that it’s given bored copycats sitting at home waiting out the coronavirus ample inspiration.

It apparently rubbed many people frustrated by Abe’s handling of the crisis the wrong way.

Abe, like US President Donald Trump, has faced accusations his moves to counter the coronavirus were too little, too late. Until late March, Abe’s administration was still insisting the Tokyo Olympics would go ahead as planned in July. It’s now been postponed until July 2021.

Abe declared a month-long state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures deemed at highest risk of an explosion of coronavirus infections just last Tuesday. The government asked people in those areas – later expanded to all of Japan – to stay at home.

A man walks in the deserted Asakusa district of Tokyo on Monday. Photo: AP

But the “stay home” message has incensed many who note that most Japanese cannot remain at home because the government’s social distancing policy is voluntary and doesn’t come with compensation for cash-strapped workers.