Inequality in Treatment of New Coronavirus Infections in Japan

ABSTRACT

The new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19] has been spreading across the globe, and Japan is no exception. As of September 2021, the medical system in Japan appeared overburdened, and depending on the location, the healthcare system may likely collapse. Even if a patient's condition warrants admission to a hospital, he/she may be forced to isolate at home, which could prove fatal at times. However, the situation may be different for influential people such as politicians and celebrities, who can access treatment on a priority basis, compared to the general population. In this article, we discuss how such a difference arises and how it matters.