Input 2020.12.30 12:00
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With the help of SoftBank, Japan’s PCR testing capability is expected to increase significantly. The Japanese government is targeting 200,000 PCR tests per day, but the current test capability is only 70,000. Compared to the United States (500,000 cases) and the United Kingdom (300,000 cases), the level is significantly lower.
Since Softbank established a subsidiary specializing in corona 19 testing with a wholly-owned investment in July, it has been conducting PCR testing on 1,900 companies and local governments so far. The company, which has a facility at the National International Medical Research Center in Shinjuku, Tokyo, can be tested for asymptomatic patients without fever or cough for 2,000 yen (about 22,339 won, shipping fee excluded). Considering that the cost of undergoing a PCR test at a general medical institution is 15,000 to 30,000 yen for symptomatic and 20,000 to 40,000 yen for no-symptoms, it is very affordable.
Japanese media previously analyzed that SoftBank succeeded in conducting low-cost PCR tests by implementing a’price destruction strategy’. They also observed that when Son first entered the mobile communication business, it will attract many patients at an unprecedented price to maintain profitability. “The end is over.”
Softbank has attracted attention by making efforts to respond to Corona 19 at the corporate level according to the will of Chairman Son, the third generation of Koreans in Japan. In May, it ordered 2 million test kits so that all employees of the group, their families, and medical personnel of their choice can undergo the test. In the same month, it also contributed to solving the shortage of masks in Japan by importing about 300 million monthly masks, including 200 million general medical masks and 100 million high-performance masks from China.
In some cases, heads of local governments across Japan asked for help directly from President Son. Osaka Prefectural Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi, Aichi Prefecture Governor Hideaki Omura, Fukuoka Mayor Takashima Soichiro, etc. said in April’s tweet from Chairman Sohn, “Medical face shields and medical glasses will be available soon.” “It is appealing. Chairman Son left a reply to all of their requests at the time, saying, “We will provide it at no cost.”
Most of the public opinion is “excellent”, but there are not a few people who give a small glance to Chairman Son’s good works. Chairman Son said in March that he would like to support PCR testing for free to 1 million people, but withdrew the proposal after being criticized for’causing confusion in the Japanese medical system’.
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