Veteran Taiwanese entertainer "Big S" (Barbie Hsu) reportedly passed away on February 2, 2025. The news not only sent shockwaves and sorrow through Taiwan but also sparked widespread discussion and concern in Japan.
Beyond expressing deep condolences for the Taiwanese artist's passing abroad, the fact that Big S tragically died after contracting influenza in Japan has brought the nation's pandemic prevention measures back into the spotlight, becoming a hot topic of public debate.
Some Japanese citizens, noting the already severe domestic pandemic situation, questioned why overseas tourists visiting Japan weren't wearing masks in crowded areas. This led to comments such as, "In places like that, it's strange *not* to get infected; at least wear a mask!" "Maybe it's better to just travel domestically," and "If that's the case, then don't come to Japan."
Some netizens even pointed out, "Even when traveling or going out to crowded places on holidays, caution is still necessary. Even Japanese people face medication shortages or inability to be hospitalized." Furthermore, other comments suggested, "When choosing to travel abroad, it's advisable to first understand the local medical environment. Many local clinics may not even offer English services."
Meanwhile, other Japanese netizens, referencing reports from various media outlets, noted that Big S seemed to have already exhibited symptoms before traveling to Japan. Additionally, other reports mentioned that "Big S had been physically frail since childhood." They therefore argued, "Rather than contracting the infection in Japan, it seems more likely she insisted on traveling despite knowing she had flu symptoms, ultimately leading to pneumonia and her tragic death." This led to accusations that Japanese media were spreading panic, "using misleading headlines to grab attention."
