Osaka Mayor Sparks Controversy Over Shopping Time Comments
The Backstory
Tokyo’s residents aren’t the only ones flipping out over COVID‑19 in Japan. The western city of Osaka, with nearly 1,500 confirmed cases by Friday, has become the next hotspot, coming in second to Tokyo in infection numbers.
When the government declared a nationwide state of emergency, Mayor Ichiro Matsui tried to get people to slow down at groceries. But his hopeful message took a detour into the territory of “gendered shopping stereotypes.”
What Was Said (and Why It Ruffled Feathers)
- “When a woman goes, it will take time,” Matsui said to a reporter asking how to curb supermarket traffic.
- He added, “If it was you, you’d go straight to the front and then head home.”
- He also mentioned married couples should avoid shopping together.
Shortly after, Twitter exploded. Users called the mayor’s remarks “deplorable” and “sexist.” One user went full grill: “They barely think about the reality of parenting, household work, and nursing.”
Key Reactions From the Public
- “Japan’s word order… so calm they fall out of a mayor’s mouth.”
- “This shows a lack of empathy for people juggling family and chores.”
- “Actually, women need less time than men when shopping.” – a user pointed out that women often decide faster on items, so the mayor got the narrative backwards.
Mayor Matsui’s Other Tips (That Sound Odd)
In an effort to further curb visits, Matsui suggested:
- People born in even‑numbered months should only shop on even dates.
- Those born in odd months should shopping only on odd dates.
Short answer: the tips went from practical to puzzle‑like.
Takeaway
Amid a city struggling to control the spread, Osaka’s mayor’s comments didn’t help calm the crowd—only added a touch of drama. The take‑home message? Public health advisories need to be clear, respectful, and, most importantly, gender‑neutral.
