Tokyo’s Governor Takes a Digital Spin on Social Distancing
When Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike begged residents to keep as much distance between them as possible to stop the COVID‑19 buzz, she sparked an unexpected creative spark—an online game that has everyone playing along.
Why the Game Gained Momentum
- Tokyo’s state‑of‑emergency is a bit softer than the lockdowns in New York or London: it’s mainly a “stay home” recommendation plus temporary closures of bars and restaurants.
- Yet, on the streets of this 36‑million‑people metropolis, cafés, pubs and cafés still glow like neon signs, and crowds keep hovering.
- Enter Koike’s “mitsudesu” mission—a must‑know phrase meaning “let’s separate” that’s become a meme in a week.
The Game
Created by Twitter user Gunjo Chikin, the game’s hero resembles Tokyo’s famed political face—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—who supplies Koike with two face masks when the challenge gets tougher.
Critics say Abe didn’t kick in hard enough at the start, which is why the “two cloth masks for every household” plan has earned a good deal of ribbing. Meanwhile, the game’s electro‑pop soundtrack, featuring Koike’s signature chant, has thrown 300,000 views into the air.
What Makes It Fun
Instead of just 9‑to‑5 lockdown, you join the governor in a pixelated treasure hunt: dodge crowds, stay a safe distance, and keep the city from turning into a crowded sushi buffet.
- Each level’s getting harder; the masks are fewer, the crowds are tighter.
- It’s a lighthearted reminder that “spray left, sneeze right” could keep the virus at bay.
Why It Works
By turning an admonition into a playful exercise, the game rewinds the harshness of the stay‑home directive into a communal challenge.
And for those who stumble through the levels 15 times in a row, nothing feels more satisfying than seeing a clean “mitsudesu” tick that pops up on the screen—just like a proof you’re actually keeping distance.
Stay Updated
Looking for the latest on the coronavirus? Feel free to reconfirm the status of this digital pandemic strategy and keep those clickers (and masks) handy.
