ASIA / PACIFIC
April 6, 2020
THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 5
Tokyo closes cherry blossom parks
to slow spread of coronavirus
CORONA VICTIM. Japanese comedian Ken Shimura gestures with
a funny face to a photographer in Tokyo, in this May 2012 file photo. The
nationally popular Japanese comedian, who drew inspiration from Jerry
Lewis, has died of COVID-19 pneumonia, the first known celebrity victim
of the virus in Japan. He was 70 years old. Shimura, who had fans of all
generations with his slapstick jokes and funny faces, died of the virus on
March 29, 2020, his agency, Izawa Office, said. (Kyodo News via AP,
File)
Popular Japanese comedian
dies from the coronavirus
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s cherry
blossoms are in full bloom, but flower
viewing came to an abrupt halt in
Tokyo because of the coronavirus.
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike
repeatedly asked the city’s 13 million
residents to stay home in late March,
saying the capital is on the brink of an
explosion in virus infections. She
warned of a possible hard shutdown
of the city if the spread of the virus
doesn’t slow.
On the evening of March 27, access
was blocked to Ueno Park, a favorite
spot for hanami, or cherry blossom
viewing. Signs said “No parties” and
“Danger. No entry.”
The empty park was a sharp
change from the previous weekend,
when people came in droves after the
central government announced an
end to national school closures,
leading many to think the outbreak
was under control, when it was
actually worsening in the capital.
Koike repeated her stay-at-home
request, asking Tokyoites to postpone
their flower viewing until next year.
“The cherry blossoms will surely
bloom next year. Our priority right
now is to overcome this difficult
time,” she said.
BLOSSOMS BLOCKED. An official walks on an empty street of cherry blossoms after it was
closed as a safety precaution against the new coronavirus, at Ueno Park in Tokyo on March 27,
2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some,
especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness
or death. Ueno Park is a favorite spot for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. New signs say “No
parties” and “Danger. No entry.” (AP Photos/Eugene Hoshiko)
Daichi Harada was with his dog
Amusement parks, zoos, and
aquariums, as well as some coffee getting some fresh air in the park
shops and department stores closed. after being at home for an extended
Officials are particularly concerned period. “Tokyo ordered us to stop
about asymptomatic young people cherry blossom viewing,” he said as
left. “It’s our duty to stay home.”
spreading the virus.
By Mari Yamaguchi
The Associated Press
OKYO — Popular Japanese comedian Ken
Shimura, who drew inspiration from the American
comedic icon Jerry Lewis, has died from the
coronavirus, becoming Japan’s first known celebrity
victim of the disease. He was 70 years old.
Shimura, who attracted fans of all generations with his
slapstick comedy and funny faces, had been treated at a
Tokyo hospital and died March 29, according to his
agency, Izawa Office.
He was diagnosed with pneumonia after contracting the
coronavirus. He was hospitalized on March 20 after
developing a fever and breathing troubles, and was put on
a ventilator.
The news of his death came as new cases spiked in
Tokyo, with the city’s governor warning of an explosive
spread of the virus in the region. The news topped
Japanese television news and talk shows, and some fans
and media gathered outside the hospital where he had
been treated.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or
moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up
in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults
and people with existing health problems, it can cause
more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Shimura’s death sent shock waves throughout Japan,
where many people, especially the younger population,
are seen as lacking a sense of urgency about the virus.
“I’m shocked to hear that he died so soon after his
infection was reported,” a 21-year-old college student told
NHK television. “Until now, the risk of getting infected
seemed someone else’s problem, but I’m scared of it now.”
Shimura was a former member of the comedy rock band
the Drifters, a household name in the 1970s and 1980s,
and gained fame while starring in the group’s primetime
comedy show “It’s 8 o’clock, Gather Everyone!”
Born Yasunori Shimura, he recently was known for his
popular character Baka Tonosama (Stupid Warlord) on
TV comedy shows. He also led his comedy theater,
Shimurakon (Shimura Spirit), since 2006.
Shimura was known as a fan of the late American
comedian Jerry Lewis and had drawn inspiration from
him.
The comedian’s death came as he was preparing for a
new film. He was also to run in the Olympic torch relay in
July to represent Higashimurayama, a town in Tokyo’s
suburbs, his agency said. Japan and Olympic officials
have agreed to postpone the games until next year due to
the coronavirus pandemic.
“I don’t think Shimura himself expected to have to go
this way,” an Izawa Office staff member told reporters,
adding that his comedy shows were still upcoming on TV.
“I hope you will remember him and laugh,” he said.
“Until the end, he was committed to present laughter to
the people.”
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MEDIUM
Difficulty
level: Medium
# 47
#14234
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that the digits 1
through 9 appear one time each in every row, col-
umn, and 3x3 box.
Solution to
last issue’s
puzzle
Puzzle #92656 (Easy)
All solutions available at
<www.sudoku.com>.
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