Thursday, April 30, 2020, 15:30 - 16:30
(The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.)
PAC ONLINE MEDIA BRIEFING
Tohru Kakuta, M.D., Vice President, Tokyo Medical Association
Speech: Throughout the Covid-19 emergency, the Tokyo Medical Association (TMA) has been ahead of the national government – and has often criticized the handling of the epidemic. The day before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in early April, the TMA declared its own medical emergency. "Ideally the country would have been prepared for this situation but it's far too late for that discussion," lamented the association president, Haruo Ozaki. "We have nothing left to do but work together and fight back."
The association is now launching its own polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing sites in Tokyo, addressing widespread criticism that Japan has tested too few people. This move represents a departure from the national government's approach of focusing on clusters of infections and snuffing them out. The TMA's Tohru Kakuta, who is himself is a physician, has kindly agreed to explain what's happening, as Japan's approach finally moves closer to what's going on in other countries. Among the questions he will address is whether the world's largest metropolis can handle a leap in the numbers of infections that may well be found as a result of the ramped up testing.
How to join: (Regular members only)
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, name of media outlet, FCCJ membership number by April 28. We regret that the number of participants is limited to 20. A confirmation email will be sent to you with the zoom invitation link.
How to ask questions: (Regular members and Professional Associate members only)
1 During the online media briefing, participants will be able to ask questions using the zoom "raise hand" function.
2 Those who are not joining the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form (English only): https://forms.gle/hMC5hamEw74Vcw3H9
How to watch: (All members) https://vimeo.com/409659767
Livestreaming of this online media briefing will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel the following day. Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing. *こちらのイベントを視聴ご希望の方はライブ配信または会見翌日にYouTube をご覧ください。会場にてご参加いただくことはできません。
TV crew: If you wish to livestream or obtain a video copy of this event, please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp by 15:00 April 28. There will be three positions available for livestreaming. ライブ配信または会見動画のコピーをご希望のメディアはメールにて front@fccj.or.jpに4/28(火) 15:00までにご予約ください。ライブ配信は先着順3社までとなります。
Professional Activities Committee