Page 5 - Beyond COVID-19

What “Dancing on the Inside” Tells Us

n April 12, 2020, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe videos of them dancing, playing drums, singing, or making funny
Oposted a video on Twitter and Instagram, stirring a great deal movies and so on. As a result, this movement became a social and
of controversy. The video was a cultural campaign. In other words,
response to Gen Hoshino’s music Hoshino’s short music has united
video, "Dancing On The Inside", in and cheered up a lot of people.
which Hoshino invited people to
collaborate. Why did Abe’s video Meanwhile, the most well-
attract severe criticism? known politician in Japan, former
Prime Minister Abe caught up with
First of all, we have to look at what the trend. On April 12, along with
“Dancing On The Inside” is. On April Hoshino’s “Dancing On The In-
3, Gen Hoshino, a famous Japanese side”, he posted a video of himself
artist, released "Dancing On The relaxing on a sofa, hugging his
Inside", a very simple and short dog, drinking tea and reading, with
song. He encouraged people to play a message telling people to stay
instruments, sing, or dance to the Kosei Asano from University of Tokyo shared how a video at home. However, opinions were
music. Hoshino said that the cam- posted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stirred bitterly divided regarding this video.
paign aimed to simply cheer people controversies. Abe’s video encouraged people to
up as they had to stay home under reflect on how music or art is related
the first order of state of emergency. to politics. Should art be completely separated from politics? Is it
necessary for artists to make public their political stance?
Many Japanese artists and TV personalities reacted to the singer’s
call. More remarkably, many ordinary people responded by uploading By Kosei Asano

Happiness, Luck, and the My Thoughts about the

Limitations of Education: Pandemic

My Own Experience

was born into a fairly rich family. Growing up as an only child, I am One thing that surprises me during the whole COVID-19 pandemic
I cherished by my parents and have never experienced any kind of is the fact that a person’s “sensibility” can change 180 degrees in such
violence or poverty. With hundreds of books in my house, I have become a short period of time. Imagine one of the following scenes. There
fond of reading. My parents taught me how to study, and with their sup- are many people on the streets. A guy is having a chat with his friend
port, I have come to take pleasure in studying. I enjoyed preparing for without his face mask on. Six colleagues are having dinner together
the university entrance exams from the bottom of my heart, and finally, after their work. All these scenes were quite normal before the outbreak,
I successfully entered the University of Tokyo, a top university in Japan. I but I am pretty sure you will think something is not right if you see such
am thoroughly proud of myself. And I am, or have been, happy. scenario now.

As time goes on, however, it gradually dawns on me that my happiness What was considered as ‘normal’ before the pandemic is considered to
is not gained by my efforts alone. My happiness is partly, or even largely, be ‘unusual’ now. If you watch videos taken before the pandemic that
due to my good family background, into which I was born just acciden- show people with no masks, it feels like these videos are from a parallel
tally. world.

Education is often regarded as an effective equalizing force ina society, We also tend to criticize people having gatherings with many people
but education itself can not completely reduce inequality. Though stu- or going to crowded clubs. It feels unfair and kind of useless to stay at
dents can gain knowledge in schools, whether their family is committed homes putting yourselves in quarantine when you see such people not
to or able to manage their studies, has a great impact on them. If I had practicing social distancing.
been born into a family without strong parental support, and with the
extra burden from housework and taking care of my younger siblings, On the other hand, many people stay at home not because they are
would I still be able to get admitted to the University of Tokyo? worried about the pandemic, but because they are worried about how
others think about them. I used to think that this social phenomenon
I have made tremendous efforts to get into the university. Yet, at the was peculiar to Japan, a society where it is said that community is more
same time, it is undeniable that support from my family enabled me valued than individuals. But a friend of mine who lives in Mexico told
to reach my full potential. Today, while so many people are suffering me that this is a similar thing going on around him as well. I wonder
because of the pandemic, I am not affected at all. “We are lucky,” my par- how it is in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
ents always say. Yes, I am. And precisely for that reason, I feel I should
do something.

By Kosei Asano By Takumi Tanabe