Nobody knows Japan’s true coronavirus numbers, expert warns as Abe government cops rising backlash

Japan has more than 16,500 confirmed infections and some 650 deaths

But critics say the actual number could be as much as 10 times higher, with Shinzo Abe’s government widely criticised for its limited testing

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Japan’s nationwide state of emergency ends on May 31, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:45pm, 11 May 2020Updated: 12:00am, 12 May 2020

Nobody knows the actual number of coronavirus cases in Japan, cautioned an expert on a Japanese government panel on Monday, amid growing criticism of the government for a lack of testing.

“It is certain that the actual number of cases is higher than reported. But nobody knows whether that could be 10 times, 12 times or 20 times more than reported,” Shigeru Omi, who leads a government panel of experts, told an upper house budget committee.

Japan had confirmed more than 16,500 coronavirus cases as of Sunday, including 712 on a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo in February. There have also been nearly 650 deaths.

Experts have repeatedly urged the government to ramp up testing capabilities. Photo: Kyodo

However, critics say the actual number could be as much as 10 times higher, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government criticised for intentionally limiting coronavirus testing.

Critics argued the government had been eager to press ahead with the Tokyo Olympics at the expense of testing. But, in the end, the International Olympic Committee and Japan agreed on March 24 to postpone the Games until next year.

Opposition lawmakers and experts have repeatedly urged the government to ramp up testing capabilities.