In early may, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on the two countries ‘ cooperation in the fight against coronavirus. What steps are taken in this direction?
Touchesa Kozuki: the Struggle against novel coronavirus infection – an urgent task not only for Japan and Russia but for the whole world, which is globalized. Japan would like to deepen cooperation with Russia in this field.
To date between our countries were formed numerous projects in the framework of the Plan of cooperation of the eight points, which in may 2016, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has offered Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cooperation in the field of medicine contained in the first of these eight points. We attach great importance to this cooperation with Russia.
on April 24 was held a videoconference between the Minister of economic cooperation with Russia – Minister of economy, trade and industry of Japan Hiroshi Kajiyama and Minister of economic development Maxim Reshetnikov. The parties agreed to continue cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 that now is the most important task.
on may 7, Prime Minister Abe held a telephone conversation with President Putin. Both leaders welcomed the promotion of specific cooperation for the control of novel coronavirus infection in the framework of the Plan of cooperation of the eight counts and agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation. During a telephone conversation foreign Ministers of Japan and Russia on may 28, the parties reiterated this course.
as one of the specific projects of cooperation, which were welcomed by the leaders of our countries is the creation of an Express test on the new type of coronavirus, which has developed a Japanese-Russian joint venture “Evotek-Mirai Genomics” on the basis of invented by the Japanese method of rapid diagnosis of SmartAmp. This rapid test President Putin mentioned March 17 as the test, developed jointly by Japan and Russia. The project associated with this test, may 6, agreement was reached on investment through the Japanese-Russian investment Fund established in 2017 on the basis of the Plan of cooperation of the eight points. Capital for the Fund provided by the Japan Bank for economic cooperation (JBIC) and the Russian direct investment Fund (RDIF).
actually, this test was developed not for one day: it is based on years of cooperation between our countries. Among the projects already undertaken in the field of medicine in the framework of the cooperation of eight items, there is a “development Project with the aim of practical implementation of a portable diagnosis system for infectious ill��NY.” The project of Sino-Russian cooperation to implement three organizations: the Japan research Institute RIKEN (Institute of physical and chemical research), Japan’s only comprehensive research Institute in the field of the natural Sciences, and venture company established RIKEN. On the Russian side, the participating company “Eidos-Medicine”, founded the Kazan Federal University. These three organizations during President Putin’s visit to Japan in December 2016, signed a framework cooperation agreement, then on the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister Abe to Russia in April 2017, has signed an agreement to conduct joint research. Since they are promoting the joint development of diagnostics of infectious diseases with a view to its practical implementation. When the introduction takes place, it will become a breakthrough innovation. For example, in the case of infection with influenza virus testing can be carried out simply and quickly. This system this time is used for the analysis conducted using the rapid test on the new type of coronavirus.
I Think that Japan and Russia will be able to interact with each other in various forms and contribute to the fight against a new type of coronavirus that is currently a global challenge.
what is the distinguishing feature of these tests because now so many countries working on this issue?
Touchesa Kozuki: as far As I know in Russia as a whole made more than 10 million tests. Globally, the number of made in Russia test is at a very high level.
I know that in Russia are used in test systems of different types. In the Express the test for a new type of coronavirus, which has developed a Japanese-Russian joint venture, the method of Express-diagnostics SmartAmp (method of isothermal amplification of nucleic acids), which is jointly developed by the Japanese research Institute RIKEN and its venture company. This rapid test has three breakthrough benefits.
first, for the SmartAmp method can be used as a stationary test system, and a portable compact test system (in the form of a suitcase), which you can use everywhere.
secondly, the test takes about 30 minutes, so test a new type of coronavirus can be accomplished in a very short time compared to conventional PCR-test.
third, the new type of coronavirus when tested is detected with very high accuracy (90 – 100 percent), which is not different from the accuracy of the PCR test.
Thanks to these features, it will be possible accurate and quick testing for the new coronavirus type regardless of its location. Testing will be p��to boditi at airports to implement measures to control entry into the country, in offices to monitor the health of employees. You can expect the application of this rapid test in a wide range of situations.
How to apply these tests?
Touchesa Kozuki: This quick test is developed by the cooperation between our two countries, already widely used in Russia. According to reports in Russian media at the end of April, he took first place in sales in Russia. And according to the Ministry of economic development of the Russian Federation, 40 large Russian companies ordered more than two million tests. At the moment the demand for this test throughout the world exceeds 20 million units.
improving the system of testing is a very important element in the fight against coronavirus, a new type in Russia. I really hope that this test, which is the fruit of Sino-Russian cooperation, will continue to spread widely in Russia and abroad.
What measures to combat Covid-19 was made in Japan and some of them are particularly effective? Many experts believe that the possible second wave of the pandemic Covid-19. What is the future of our countries to continue cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus?
Touchesa Kozuki: In response to the pandemic of the novel coronavirus, Japan has taken border measures, such as restrictions on entry into the country and the strengthening of quarantine measures as well as consistent antilisterial measures aimed at detection and suppression of foci (clusters) infection, which was discovered the relationship between the spread of infections. Thanks to these measures, our country was able to suppress the development of infection. I think that your contribution to the growth of the number of infected has made and the high consciousness of the Japanese in terms of public hygiene, including wearing masks and washing hands.
on the other hand, as the global spread of infection from the end of March in Japan also significantly increased the number infected with an unknown transmission mode, accordingly, on 7 April announced the introduction of a state of emergency. After this was taken a few basic measures, suggesting even more thorough efforts to prevent infection, while efforts to protect citizens from the negative impact of coronavirus on the economy.
first, the goal was to reduce the number of contacts between people at 80 percent. For this the citizens were asked to refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent exits from home and travel to other regions to follow opportunities in remote mode. In addition, in the case of exits from home, for example for the purchase of items necessary.ti, was required to carefully monitor their actions, avoiding the so-called “three close factors”, that is, closed spaces, crowded and close contact.
second, attention was directed to the suppression of foci of infection and improving the health care system. These measures were designed to prevent the explosive spread of infection and minimizing the number of severe cases and deaths. Those who had mild or asymptomatic, were treated in the medical institutions, and in hotels and other places, which helped to reduce the burden on hospitals.
third, have been taken steps in the spheres of economy and employment. To protect the jobs and lives of citizens from the negative economic impact decided to implement economic measures to the scale of more than 200 trillion yen, including the payment of benefits in the amount of 100 thousand yen to every resident of the country.
Finally, on may 25, a state of emergency was lifted. Currently, the number of new infections across Japan is less than 50 people per day, and the number of hospitalized patients does not exceed 2 thousand people. These and other factors allowed to conclude that Japan has met the requirements of the standards for lifting the state of emergency, which was established by our country hard, even by world standards level. In Japan it is impossible to restrict the exit on the street forced with the use of fines. However, we were able to almost completely finish the situation with the current spread of the infection in just a month and a half. As noted by Prime Minister Abe, our country has shown the strength of the “Japanese model”. Such measures have received and from who.
However, the threat of the virus has not disappeared: if in the process of further socio-economic activities lightly to weaken the measures already taken to contain the infection, we are waiting for the second wave. In this regard, the expert Council under the government of Japan proposed to implement “a new way of life”, which will allow you to return to everyday life in the new conditions of coronavirus. The practical implementation of these standards is required of all our citizens.
Despite the fact that the infection in Japan calmed down, the present situation is finished with the coronavirus will not be until then, until it spread all over the world. Japan, sharing their experiences with the international community, intends to show leadership including in the establishment of a mechanism for use of drugs and vaccines in the framework of international formats, which has high transparency. We also intend to cooperate with Russia to win the fight against the virus in the world.
Prime Minister Abe also expressed his determination to spend Olympic games in Tokyo in full format as evidence of the victory of humanity over the coronavirus. The government of Japan will conduct a thorough preparation for this event in close cooperation with the IOC, the organising Committee and other bodies so that the Olympics were safe and secure for athletes.
When it may be resumed flights between Japan and Russia?
Touchesa Kozuki: currently, the Russian government has suspended regular flights by international airlines, the timing of their resumption is not yet defined. The Japanese government also restricted entry into the country for citizens of many foreign countries, including Russia, to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection. As long as the situation with coronavirus will not be solved on a world scale, the immediate lifting of these restrictions will be difficult for Japan and Russia.
In such circumstances, an important objective of both governments is the implementation of the repatriation of Japanese nationals who live in Russia and want to go back to Japan, and Russian citizens who live in Japan and want to return to Russia. Thanks to the cooperation with JAL, Aeroflot and other airlines we have already helped to return home export flights to a large number of citizens.
the Number of mutual trips of citizens of Japan and Russia last year again reached record numbers, totaling 230 thousand people per year. As the Ambassador of Japan in Russia, I sincerely hope that the situation with novel coronavirus infection will be completed as soon as possible on a global scale. Also I hope that between Japan and Russia will again intensify human contacts in various spheres, including economic activities, cultural exchanges and tourism. The question of the resumption of contacts will be considered in a phased manner taking into account the epidemiological situation within the country and abroad.
if there was any cases of coronavirus among the staff of the Embassy of Japan in Russia? What did the mission to defend against the threat of infection?
Touchesa Kozuki: thank you for your concern. Fortunately, we have everything in order: among the staff of the Embassy of Japan in Russia there is not a single case of infection with coronavirus. In pandemic, I set out, first, to continue the functioning of the Embassy and, secondly, to protect employees from infection. To this end, we have tried to reduce the number of trips to work in the Embassy building and to minimize contact with each other, including through the introduction of remote work. Shortly after the start of infection, we also took measures such as the installation of containers with antiseptic the different rooms inside the Embassy, introduced the frequent disinfection of the hands and wearing masks.
We will continue to take all necessary measures for the prevention of infection and prevent its spread among our staff to the Embassy were able to carry out their work, including for the protection of living in Russia by Japanese citizens.
I would also Like to say that from may to August, the Embassy of Japan conducts Online Fest that is the festival “Japan online”. Within its framework we plan over thirty different events, lectures, seminars on culture, art, cinema, martial arts of Japan. The content will be distributed online, including through the pages of the Embassy in social networks. I hope that these efforts will contribute to preventing the spread of infection in the current situation where many people are forced to stay home. I would be very happy if the Russians will be able to experience a touch of Japan at home.
