Vaccination for Omicron strain to start after mid-October - Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2/2)

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

オミクロン株対応のワクチン接種 10月中旬以降に開始へ 厚労省 (2/2)

2022年8月8日 22時32分

(continue)

どの程度間隔あければ接種できる？

オミクロン株に対応したワクチンの接種では、前回の接種とどの程度の間隔をあけるのかは現時点では明らかになっていません。

このため、厚生労働省は8日の分科会で前の接種との間隔については留意が必要だとして、シミュレーションを示しています。

オミクロン株に対応したワクチンの接種間隔を海外の治験データなどから「5か月」と仮定していて、60歳以上の人は4回目の接種のピークが始まった先月以降に接種をした場合、ことし12月以降に多くの人がオミクロン株対応ワクチンを接種する時期を迎えるとしています。

専門家「オミクロン株対応のワクチンは必要」

新型コロナウイルスのオミクロン株に対応したワクチンの接種について、ワクチンに詳しい北里大学の中山哲夫 特任教授は「オミクロン株は変異している部分が多く、ウイルスの特徴がかなり変わってきている。いま使われているワクチンはオミクロン株には対応しきれない面があり、オミクロン株対応のワクチンは必要になってくると思う」と述べました。

一方で今、従来の新型コロナワクチンの接種を受けるべきかについて、中山特任教授は「現状でこれだけ感染が広がり重症者も増えている状況なので、まだ3回目の接種を済ませていない人はオミクロン株対応のワクチンを待つのではなく、今使用できるワクチンを接種することを考えてほしい」と強調しました。

今回、厚生労働省が接種を開始する方針を決めたワクチンは、ことしの初めごろに広がったオミクロン株の「BA.1」と従来の新型コロナウイルスに対応した「2価ワクチン」です。

これについて中山特任教授は「今、広がっている変異ウイルスに近いワクチンのほうが、今の変異ウイルスに対する高い免疫の反応を誘導できる一方、私たちには従来株のワクチンで得た免疫の記憶が残っている。その記憶を生かすためには、従来株とオミクロン株を一緒にしたワクチンを接種するほうが理にかなっている。また、今、世界で広がっている『BA.5』に対応したワクチンの開発も進められているが、完成までに数か月はかかるだろう。それを待つよりもこれから出てくるワクチンを接種したほうがいい」と話しています。

5～11歳へのコロナワクチン接種 「努力義務」化を了承

また、8日開かれた厚生労働省の専門家で作る分科会では、新型コロナウイルスワクチンの5歳から11歳の子どもへの接種についても議論が行われ、接種を受けるよう保護者が努めなければならない「努力義務」とする方針が決まりました。

「努力義務」は、接種を受けるよう努めなければならないとする予防接種法の規定です。

風疹など定期接種のワクチンの多くに適用されていますが、接種を受けるかどうかはあくまで本人が選択できることになっています。

法的な強制力や罰則はありません。

5歳から11歳の子どもへのワクチン接種をめぐっては、厚生労働省はことし2月、接種の呼びかけは行うもののオミクロン株に対する有効性が明確でなかったことなどから、当面は「努力義務」としないことを決めていました。

しかし、8日の分科会ではオミクロン株への効果や安全性に関するデータが集まってきたとして「努力義務」とすることが了承されました。

これに対し専門家からは「強制的なものと誤解されないようわかりやすく情報発信をすべきだ」などの意見が出されていました。

厚生労働省は今後、政令を改正するための手続きを進めたいとしています。

Translation

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How long apart can you get vaccination?

It was not clear at this time how long the Omicron strain-specific vaccine should be separated from the previous vaccination.

For this reason, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed a simulation at the subcommittee on the 8th, saying that attention should be paid to the interval from the previous vaccination.

Assuming that the interval between vaccinations for Omicron strains is "5 months" based on overseas clinical trial data, the situation was that people aged 60 and over had the fourth vaccination peak last month, it was thus said that after December this year it could be a period when many people would vaccinate against the Omicron strain.

Expert: “Vaccine for Omicron strain is necessary"

Regarding vaccination against the Omicron strain of the new coronavirus, specially appointed Professor Tetsuo Nakayama of Kitasato University, who was familiar with vaccines said, "Many parts of the Omicron strain have mutated, and the characteristics of the virus have changed considerably. As the vaccines currently available are not fully compatible with the Omicron strain, I think that a vaccine compatible with the Omicron strain will become necessary.”

On the other hand, when asked whether one should receive the conventional new coronavirus vaccine now, Project Professor Nakayama stressed that ``Currently, the situation is that the infection is spreading to such an extent, and that the seriously ill is increasing, so for those who have not yet completed the third vaccination, my hope is that they should consider getting a vaccine that is now available instead of waiting for a strain-specific vaccine."

The vaccine which the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had decided to start vaccination this time would be the "bivalent vaccine" corresponding to both the "BA.1" Omicron strain that was widely spreading early this year and the conventional coronavirus.

Regarding this, Professor Nakayama said, " While vaccines that are closer to the mutated virus that is now spreading can induce a higher immune response to the current mutated virus, we have the memory of immunity obtained from the conventional strain vaccine. In order to make use of that memory, it makes more sense to inoculate a vaccine that combines the conventional strain and the Omicron strain. In addition, a vaccine that corresponds to "BA.5", which is currently spreading around the world is also under development, but it will take several months to complete. Instead of waiting for it, it is better to inoculate the upcoming vaccine."

Acknowledge the “obligation to make efforts” for corona vaccination for 5 to 11 years old

In addition, at a subcommittee made up of experts from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held on the 8th, a discussion was held regarding inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 with the coronavirus vaccine. A policy was decided to make it an “obligation to make efforts” for parents to make efforts to receive vaccination.

"Obligation to make efforts" was a provision of the Preventive Vaccination Law that one must make efforts to receive vaccinations.

It was applicable to many routine vaccinations such as rubella, but after all it was up to the individual to decide whether or not to receive it.

There was no legal force or penalties.

Regarding vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare called for vaccination in February this year, but as the effectiveness against the Omicron strain was not clear, so for that time, it had decided that it was not an "obligation to make efforts".

However, at the subcommittee meeting on the 8th, as data on the effects and safety of Omicron strains had been collected, to make it an "obligation to make efforts" was agreed.

In response to this, experts expressed opinions such as that the "Information should be provided in an easy-to-understand manner so that it would not to be misunderstood as compulsory."

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare wanted to proceed with the procedure to revise the ordinance in the future.

So, in order to prevent the elderly from becoming seriously ill and to increase the immunity of society as a whole including the younger generation, Japan has decided to start vaccination from mid-October onwards for all people who have completed the first two doses of vaccination. Japan will import a new vaccine the “Bivalent vaccine” that combines two types of components, one derived from the conventional strain and one from the Omicron strain “BA.1”.

Vaccination for Omicron strain to start after mid-October - Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (1/2)

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

オミクロン株対応のワクチン接種 10月中旬以降に開始へ 厚労省 (1/2)

2022年8月8日 22時32分

厚生労働省は新型コロナウイルスのオミクロン株に対応したワクチンの接種を、2回目までのワクチン接種を終えたすべての人を対象に、10月中旬以降に開始する方針を決めました。

厚生労働省は8日、専門家で作る分科会を開き、現在、国内で流行しているオミクロン株に対応したワクチンの接種について審議しました。

その結果、高齢者の重症化を防ぐとともに若い世代も含め社会全体の免疫をあげるため、接種の対象を2回目までの接種を終えたすべての人として10月中旬以降に開始する方針を決めました。

新しいワクチンは、従来株に由来する成分とオミクロン株の一つ、「BA.1」の2種類を組み合わせた「2価ワクチン」と呼ばれるものです。

現在、国内で流行している「BA.5」に対しても、ウイルスの働きを抑える中和抗体の値が上昇すると見込まれています。

使用を想定しているのはファイザーとモデルナが開発中のワクチンで、薬事承認されれば来月にも輸入し、自治体への配送を開始する見通しです。

ただ、前回の接種とどの程度の間隔をあけるのかは明らかになっていないため、分科会では専門家から「オミクロン株に対応するワクチンを打つために10月まで接種を控える動きが広がる懸念がある」や「重症化を防ぐため、対象者で接種がまだの人は速やかに4回目の接種を受けてほしい」などの意見が出されていました。

また、分科会では60歳以上の人などを対象に進められている4回目接種について対象を拡大するかについても議論が行われましたが、現段階では拡大せずに検討を続けることになりました。

オミクロン株対応のワクチンとは

WHO＝世界保健機関によると、従来のワクチンでもオミクロン株を含むすべての新型コロナウイルスに対して高い重症化予防効果があるとしています。

しかし、従来のワクチンは従来株に比べオミクロン株への感染や発症予防の効果が低いほか、打ってから時間がたつほど効果が弱まることなどから、ファイザー社やモデルナ社などがオミクロン株対応のワクチンの開発を進めていました。

ファイザー社やモデルナ社は、オミクロン株対応ワクチンとして従来株のワクチンとオミクロン株を含む2価ワクチンを開発中で、今回日本が導入を決めたのは「BA.1対応型」と言われているものです。

ことし6月にアメリカのFDA＝食品医薬品局にファイザー社が示した臨床試験の結果によると、56歳以上を対象に「BA.1対応型」を4回目で接種したところ、従来型ワクチンを4回目に接種した人と比べオミクロン株の派生型「BA.1」に対しウイルスの働きを抑える中和抗体の値が平均で1.56倍から1.97倍上昇し、現在流行している「BA.5」に対しては「BA.1」には劣るものの中和抗体の値の上昇がみられたと報告しています。

またモデルナ社も「BA.1対応型」の2価ワクチンでも中和抗体の値を従来のワクチンと比較すると「BA.1」に対して平均で1.75倍上昇を示したと報告しています。

海外では、FDA＝食品医薬品局が製造販売業者に対して、現在流行しているオミクロン株の派生型「BA.5」の成分を混ぜた「BA.4/5対応型」の2価ワクチンの開発を勧告していますが、EMA＝欧州医薬品庁では、2価ワクチンに入れるオミクロン株の派生型によって効果に大きな差があるとはせず、現時点で絞り込みを行っていません。

厚生労働省では「BA.4/5対応型」の2価ワクチンでは輸入が9月よりも遅れるとみていて、いち早く利用が可能な「BA.1対応型」のワクチンを選択しました。

(to be continued)

Translation

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to start vaccination for the Omicron strain of the new coronavirus after mid-October for all people who had completed the second vaccination.

On the 8th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held a subcommittee made up of experts to discuss vaccinations for the Omicron strain, which was currently prevalent in Japan.

As a result, in order to prevent the elderly from becoming seriously ill and to increase the immunity of society as a whole including the younger generation, it was decided to start vaccination from mid-October onwards for all people who have completed the first two doses of vaccination.

The new vaccine was called a “Bivalent vaccine” that combined two types of components, one derived from the conventional strain and one of the Omicron strains “BA.1”.

It was expected that even towards the "BA.5", it would increase the level of neutralizing antibody that suppressed the activity of virus which was currently prevalent in Japan.

What was expected to be used would be a vaccine under development by Pfizer and Moderna, and if the drug approval was given, it was expected to be imported next month to start delivery to local governments.

However, since it was not clear for how long the injection interval from the previous vaccination would be open, experts said at the subcommittee that there was a growing concern that people could refrain from vaccination until October in order to get a vaccine that corresponded to the Omicron strain and that 'In order to prevent serious illness, those who are eligible but have not been vaccinated should promptly receive the fourth vaccination.'

In addition, the subcommittee discussed whether to expand the scope of the 4th vaccination which was now being promoted for people aged 60 and over; while at this stage it would not be expanded, this would continue to be reviewed.

What was the Vaccine for Omicron Strain?

According to WHO = the World Health Organization, conventional vaccines were highly effective in preventing the severity of all new coronaviruses, even including the Omicron strain.

However, conventional vaccines were less effective in preventing infection and symptom appearance caused by Omicron strains than by conventional strains, and the effectiveness weakened as time passed, so Pfizer and Moderna etc. were in the process of developing vaccines for Omicron strains.

Pfizer and Moderna were, in dealing with Omicron strains with vaccine, developing a bivalent vaccine containing conventional strains and Omicron strains, and it was said that Japan this time had decided to introduce the "BA.1 compatible type".

According to the results of a clinical trial presented by Pfizer to the US FDA = Food and Drug Administration in June this year, when the ``BA.1 compatible type” were vaccinated for the fourth time on those aged over 56, compared to those who vaccinated the traditional for the fourth time, the value of the neutralizing antibody that suppressed the virus activity of the Omicron strain derivative "BA.1" increased by an average of 1.56 to 1.97 times. It was reported that in dealing with the currently prevalent "BA.5”, although it was less good in dealing with BA.1, an increase in neutralizing antibody levels could be observed.

Moderna also reported that, the neutralizing antibody in the "BA.1 compatible" bivalent vaccine, when compared to the conventional vaccine, showed an average increase of 1.75 times value in this "BA.1" comparation.

Overseas, the FDA = Food and Drug Administration had recommended manufacturers and distributors to develop a bivalent vaccine of "BA.4/5 compatible type" that mixed with the components of the currently prevalent Omicron strain derivative "BA.5". Yet the EMA (European Medicines Agency) did not consider that there was a large difference in the effect from the derivative type of the Omicron strain used in the bivalent vaccine, and had not done any screening at this time.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare expected that the import of the "BA.4/5 compatible" bivalent vaccine would be later than September, so it chose the "BA.1 compatible" vaccine that could be used quickly

(to be continued)

US Yale University succeeded in restoring cell function in dead pigs: hopes for organ preservation for transplant - Shakes the concept of death

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

死んだブタの細胞機能回復に成功、移植用の臓器保存に期待　死の概念揺るがす　米イエール大

2022.08.05 Fri posted at 16:15 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 米イエール大学の研究チームは、死んでから１時間たったブタの血液循環などの細胞機能を回復させることに成功したと発表した。この研究は、細胞がこれまで考えられていたほど早くは死なないことを示唆しており、いずれ人に応用できれば、臓器の保存時間を伸ばして臓器移植を増やせる可能性があると期待されている。

研究チームは「OrganEx」と呼ばれるシステムを開発して死んだブタの体内で酸素の循環を回復させ、心停止後も細胞や一部の臓器を保全した。

研究を主導したイエール大学のネナド・セスタン教授は「機能しなくなるはずの細胞が、何時間も機能した」と発表、「つまり細胞の死滅は停止させられるということだ。その機能は複数の臓器で回復した。死後１時間経過しても」と語った。

この研究結果は３日の科学誌ネイチャーに発表された。

OrganExのシステムは、灌流液（かんりゅうえき）と呼ばれる液体を血液と混ぜて死んだブタの血管に送り込む。灌流液にはタンパク質やヘモグロビンなどの合成物や、細胞を保護して血栓を防ぐ成分が含まれる。OrganExを使った治療の６時間後、研究チームは心臓、肝臓、腎臓を含む多数の部位で主要な細胞が機能していることを発見。一部の臓器の機能も回復していた。

今回の研究は、同チームが２０１９年に行った実験に基づいている、この時は同様の実験的システム「BrainEx」を使って人工血液をブタの脳に送り込み、重要な神経機能の低下を防いでいた。

実験はまだごく初期の段階だが、いずれ人に応用できれば、臓器を摘出してから移植するまでの許容時間を伸ばすことができる可能性がある。

現在、臓器の供給は極めて限られ、世界で何百万人もの人が移植待ちをしている。

論文共著者のイエール大学生命倫理センター長、スティーブン・レイサム氏は、「臓器を死亡したドナーから摘出し、灌流技術につないでから、長距離あるいは長時間の輸送を行って、必要とするレシピエントに届けることができるかもしれない」と期待する。

一方で研究チームは、決してブタを生き返らせたわけではないと断言し、臓器を移植に利用できるかどうか判断するためにはさらなる研究が必要だと強調した。

オランダのフローニンゲン大学医療センターのロベルト・ポルテ氏は今回の論文に沿えた記事の中で、この研究は心臓発作や脳卒中を起こした患者の新しい治療法につながる可能性もあると指摘した。

その可能性についてレイサム氏は「ずっと先のことになると思う」と述べ、短期的には移植用の臓器の保存に使う方が有望だと話している。

研究には１００頭あまりのブタを使用し、麻酔をかけた状態で心臓発作を誘発させた。

今回の研究は、死のプロセスについて理解を深める役にも立つかもしれない。

「心臓の鼓動が止まると数分で、血流が不足する局所貧血によって連鎖的な生化学反応が引き起こされ、細胞が生きるために必要とする酸素と栄養素が止まる。すると細胞の破壊が始まる」

セスタン教授はそう解説し、「細胞の恒久的な集団機能不全に向けた進行は、回避できないほど急速に起きるわけではなく、修復できる可能性もあることが、我々の研究で示された」と語った。

Translation

(CNN) Researchers at Yale University successfully restored cellular functions such as blood circulation in pigs that had died for an hour. The study suggested that cells didn’t die as quickly as previously thought, and it was hoped that one day it could be applied to humans to extend organ storage time and increase organ transplantation.

The researchers developed a system called OrganEx to restore oxygen circulation in dead pigs, preserving cells and some organs after cardiac arrest.

Yale University professor Nenad Sestan who led the study stated that ``The cells that were supposed to stop functioning has worked for hours''; and said "This means cell death can be halted. Its function has been restored in multiple organs, even an hour after death."

The results of this research were published in the scientific journal Nature on the 3rd.

OrganEx's system mixed a fluid called perfusate with blood and pumped it into the dead pig's blood vessels. Perfusate contained compounds such as proteins and hemoglobin, as well as components that protected cells and prevented thrombosis. After 6 hours of treatment with OrganEx, the research team found that key cells were functioning in multiple sites, including the heart, liver, and kidney. The function of some organs was also restored.

The study built on an experiment the same team conducted in 2019, in that time using a similar experimental system, BrainEx, to pump artificial blood into pig brains to prevent loss of vital neurological function.

Experiments were still in their very early stages, but if they could eventually be applied to humans, they could extend the time allowed between removing and transplanting an organ.

Currently, organ supplies were extremely limited, and millions of people worldwide were waiting for transplants.

Co-author Stephen Latham, director of the Center for Bioethics at Yale University, said, " Thanks to perfusion techniques organs removed from dead donors, after being transported over long distances or long periods of time, were able to be given to recipients in need."

But the researchers insisted they never revived the pigs and stressed that more research was needed to determine if the organs could be used for transplants.

In an article accompanying the paper, Robert Porte of the University Medical Center of Groningen in the Netherlands said the research could lead to new treatments for heart attack and stroke patients.

About that possibility, Latham said "I think it's a long way ahead", saying that in the short term it would be more promising to store organs for transplant.

More than 100 pigs were used in the study and heart attacks were induced under anesthesia.

The study might also help us better understand the dying process.

"A few minutes after the heart stops beating, a lack of blood flow in local area triggers a chain of biochemical reactions that stop the oxygen and nutrients that the cells need to survive. In this way cell destruction begins."

Professor Sestan said to explain that "Our research shows that the progression of cells towards permanent collective dysfunction does not occur so rapidly that it cannot be avoided, and that is reversible".

 So, a research done at Yale University suggests that cells don't die as quickly as previously thought, and it's hoped that one day it could be applied to humans to extend organ storage time and increase organ transplantation. This is good news for everyone.

China - Lockdown in Macau lifted, casinos resume operations

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

マカオのロックダウン解除、カジノも営業再開　中国

2022.08.02 Tue posted at 11:42 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 中国南部のギャンブルのメッカ、マカオで１カ月以上続いていた新型コロナウイルス対策のロックダウン（都市封鎖）が解除され、２日から飲食店や娯楽施設などが営業を再開する。

当局によると、９日連続で市中感染の報告がなかったことから解除に踏み切った。

２日からはほとんどの施設で、入場前の７２時間以内に受けた新型コロナ検査の陰性証明提示を求められる。

マカオ市衛生局によると、住民の９０％以上は新型コロナのワクチン接種を完了しているが、市は中国政府の「ゼロコロナ」政策を厳格に守ってきた。

新型コロナの流行を受けて商店や事業所などの多くは６月半ばから休業し、カジノもこの２年あまりで初めて、７月１１日から営業中止を強いられた。カジノは同月２３日から、人数制限を設けて営業を再開していた。

中国本土からの観光収入に依存するマカオにとって、ギャンブルは生命線であり、ロックダウンによって経済が脅かされる状態が続いていた。

保健当局の７月３１日の発表によると、今回の流行が始まった６月１８日以来、マカオで報告された症例は１８２１例。同市にとっては過去最多だった。

現時点でマカオを訪問できるのは香港、台湾、中国本土の住民のみ。中国本土の危険性が低い地域を除き、ほとんどの訪問客は到着後１０日の隔離が義務付けられている。

Translation

(CNN) Macau, the Mecca of gambling in southern China, had lifted its lockdown (city closure) against the new coronavirus that had lasted for more than a month; restaurants and entertainment facilities would resume operations from the 2nd.

According to the authorities, after there were no reports of community-acquired infections for nine days in a row, it took action to lift it.

From the 2nd, most facilities would require a negative proof of a new coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before entering.

According to the Macau Municipal Health Department, while the city was strictly adhering to the Chinese government's "zero coronavirus" policy, more than 90% of residents had completed their vaccination against the new coronavirus

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, many shops and offices were closed from mid-June, and casinos were forced to suspend operations from July 11 for the first time in more than two years. The casino resumed operations on the 23rd of the same month and allowed operation with a limit on the number of people.

Gambling had been a lifeline for Macau, which relied on revenue from mainland China tourists, and lockdowns continued to threaten the economy.

Health officials announced on July 31 that 1,821 cases had been reported in Macau since the outbreak began on June 18. It was the highest number ever for the city.

Currently, only residents of Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China were allowed to visit Macau. Except for low-risk areas in mainland China, most visitors were required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

              So, Macau has practiced a zero-tolerance policy in dealing with Covid-19. I am interested in knowing that how long it will take for a new Covid-19 case to occur again in Macau.

對於美國的下一代中國問題專家來說，挑戰不僅僅是語言及國家接觸(2/2)

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

For America's next generation of China experts, the challenges go beyond language and country access (2/2)

SCMP

Mon, August 1, 2022 at 2:30 AM

(continue)

Victor Shih, a China scholar at the University of California San Diego, said reduced economic opportunities, combined with China's zero-Covid approach, have put foreigners off China who might otherwise be interested in the country.

"China was [once] seen as a kind of land of opportunity for young foreigners. That is no longer the case," said Shih, who regularly visited the mainland for decades until the pandemic. He described the "golden period" for aspiring China experts as spanning the 1990s to 2017-2018 when foreign nationals with "some Chinese skills" and China knowledge had ample job opportunities in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

Shih echoed the view that Beijing's restrictive entry policies during the pandemic have made China a less attractive place to be. Indeed, a three-month mass lockdown in Shanghai from April 1 to June 1 prompted many foreigners to flee the commercial hub.

But Mary Gallagher, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan, believes Beijing's firmer hand in recent years has contributed more to plummeting interest in China studies than pandemic limitations.

"We are starting to see students make a choice," explained Gallagher, saying students think "maybe I will not be a China scholar because I just can't take risks right now". She said students reason that either China won't "open up in the next couple of years" or that their topic of interest "is too politically sensitive", leading them to conclude they need to pursue another field. It is "very risky for students to focus solely on China right now", she added.

As a result, academics are now more likely to rely heavily on open data and the internet to conduct research on China, Gallagher said. This scenario presents additional concerns, as government data is not completely "reliable or representative" and a scarcity of qualitative survey opportunities hinders insight, she said.

Deborah Seligsohn of Villanova University, who served as a science counsellor at the US embassy in Beijing from 2003 to 2007, said Washington also shared some of the blame. Seligsohn said that as security clearances were harder to come by during the Trump administration more people working in China research became more careful about how their ties to the country might be perceived.

For the State Department to enhance China expertise, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken should think about "hiring standards and making sure that security is not simply operating on assumptions but is actually doing the real work of determining what's a risk and what's not", Seligsohn said.

Public attention has increasingly turned to how China might be endangering US national security, illustrated by the Justice Department's recently ended China Initiative meant to crack down on leaks of technological and other sensitive information for Beijing's benefit. Under the Trump-era programme, some prominent American professors faced charges for misreporting or covering up connections to Chinese funds.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, Isaac Stone Fish, founder of the China-focused research firm Strategy Risks, said he observed younger Americans having very different experiences with China compared to previous generations who knew a relatively open country in the 2000s and early 2010s.

Stone Fish, a former journalist who was based in China for seven years, described the older generation of experts who lived in the country as having "built relationships with people outside [Chinese Communist Party-] controlled channels of people-to-people exchanges".

 "Many in the next generation of young American experts are more sceptical of the Chinese Communist Party, of engagement, and of friends of China, like Henry Kissinger," he said.

Beyrer, the China expert-in-waiting, espouses this perspective. The University of Pennsylvania graduate said he did not think first-hand living experience in China was a prerequisite to claiming expertise in the country if one's language skills were strong.

Still, Beyrer acknowledged that how he views China shifts when he is based in the US.

"In China, you really have the opportunity to meet people, learn about their daily lives and the way politics and the government influence an average person," Beyrer said. "In the US, things are a little more politics- and international relations-centric."

Beyrer noted he would keep waiting to enter the mainland, despite many in his academic programme leaving China studies altogether. In the meantime, he bides his time working as a China analyst at a strategy and business advisory firm in Washington.

"When I'm in the United States, my attention turns more towards sensitive and complicated topics," he said. "In China, there's more of an opportunity to focus on cooperation and development when you're learning."

Translation

 （繼續）

加州大學聖地亞哥分校的中國專題學者 Victor Shih 表示，經濟機會減少，再加上中國的零新冠疫情政策，讓原本可能對中國感興趣的外國人遠離中國。

幾十年來一直定期訪問大陸直到大流行發生為止的 Shih 說: “中國 [曾經] 被視為年輕外國人的一塊機會之地。現在情況已不再如此” 。他將有抱負的中國專家的 “黃金時期” 描述為跨越 1990 年代至 2017-2018 年，當時具有 “一些中國技能” 和中國知識的外國人在香港、澳門和中國大陸擁有大量工作機會。

Shih 贊同的一個觀點同是,北京在大流行期間的限制性入境政策使中國成為不那麼有吸引力的地方。事實上，從 4 月 1 日到 6 月 1 日，上海為期三個月的大規模封鎖促使許多外國人逃離這個商業中心。

但密歇根大學中國研究中心主任 Mary Gallagher認為，北京近年來的严格控制,更大程度導致對中國研究的興趣驟降，而不是由於流行病上的限制。

Gallagher 解釋: “我們開始看到學生做出選擇” ，說學生們認為 “也許我不會成為一名中國學者，因為我現在不能冒險” 。她說，學生們的理由要么是中國不會 “在未來幾年內開放” ，要么是他們感興趣的話題 “在政治上過於敏感” ，導致他們得出結論，他們需要探求另一個學術領域。她補充說， “學生現在只單一地專門於中國研究是非常危險的” 。

Gallagher說, 因此學術界現在更有可能重點地依賴開放數據和互聯網來對中國進行研究。她說，這種情況帶來了額外的擔憂，因為政府數據並不完全 “可靠或具有代表性”，而且成分識別的調查機會不足夠, 會阻礙觀察的進行。

維拉諾瓦大學的Deborah Seligsohn 曾於 2003 年至 2007 年在美國駐北京大使館擔任科學顧問，她說華盛頓也負有部分責任。 Seligsohn 說，由於在特朗普政府期間更難獲得安全審查，更多從事中國研究工作的人更加謹慎外界如何看待他們與中國的連係。

Seligsohn說, 為了讓國務院加強對中國的專業知識，美國國務卿布林肯應該考慮 “聘用標準並確保安全不僅僅是在假設上運作，而是實際上做出確定什麼是風險和什麼不是風險的真正工作” 。

公眾的注意力越來越多地轉向中國可能如何危及美國國家安全，司法部最近結束的中國倡議就是例證，該倡議旨在打擊可令北京謀取利益的技術, 和其他敏感信息的洩露。在特朗普時代的計劃下，一些著名的美國教授因誤報或掩蓋與中國基金的聯繫而面臨指控。

與此同時，在私營部門，專注於中國的研究公司 Strategy Risks 的創始人 Isaac Stone Fish 表示，他觀察到年輕的美國人對中國的體驗, 與在 2000 年代和 2010 年代初了解一個相對開放的中國的前幾代人相比，截然不同。

在中國工作了 7 年的前記者 Stone Fish 把居住在中國的老一輩專家描述為 “與 [中國共產黨-] 控制之外的渠道建立了人與人交流關係” .

他說： “美國下一代年輕專家中的許多人, 對於中國共產黨、對於交往, 以及對像基辛格這樣的中國朋友更加持懷疑態度。”

中國候任專家Beyrer支持這種觀點。這位賓夕法尼亞大學的畢業生說，如果一個人的語言能力很強，他認為在中國的第一手生活經驗並不是可自稱有擁有專業中國知識的先決條件。

 儘管如此，Beyrer 承認，當他以美國為依據，他對中國的看法發生了變化。

Beyrer說“在中國，你真的有機會結識人們，了解他們的日常生活, 以及政治和政府對普通人的影響”; “在美國，事情更加以政治和國際關係為中心。”

Beyrer指出，儘管他的學術課程中有許多人完全離開了中國研究，但他仍將繼續等待進入大陸。與此同時，他正在華盛頓的一家戰略和商業諮詢公司擔任中國分析師，及等待著自己的時機。

他說: “當我在美國時，我的注意力更多地轉向敏感和復雜的話題”; “在中國，當你學習的時候，有更多的機會專注於合作和發展。”

              So, the current situation does not help young Americans to become Chinese experts because of China’s policy. When talking about Chinese experts, I think those ethnic Chinese scholars now teaching in the universities in the US are already experts on China. Probably they know more about the way of thinking among Chinses leaders.

對於美國的下一代中國問題專家來說，挑戰不僅僅是語言及國家接觸 (1/2)

Recently Yahoo New on-line reported the following:

For America's next generation of China experts, the challenges go beyond language and country access (1/2)

SCMP

Mon, August 1, 2022 at 2:30 AM

As an Ivy-league graduate in China studies, 22-year-old Patrick Beyrer ticks all the right boxes to launch a career focused on the country - language skills, prior experience on the mainland, and above all, zeal.

Finding someone like Beyrer is no small feat. Fewer foreigners these days want to pursue China studies, despite expertise in the country arguably more needed than ever. But Beyrer faces a more prosaic challenge: he cannot enter China.

"It has become a challenge to understand China without the prism of face-to-face interactions," said Beyrer, an American who visited the country in 2016 and 2019, each time for weeks-long programmes through the US State Department.

Having studied Mandarin in the US since middle school, Beyrer was looking to deepen his expertise in China studies through a master's programme he enrolled in last year at a top university in Beijing.

Patrick Beyrer, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, last visited China in 2019 for language studies. He hopes to re-enter the country as part of a master's programme

However, just months away from the start of a new academic year, Beyrer has low expectations that he will be allowed in. China has yet to announce whether it will resume visa approvals for international students since suspending standard processing three years ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think if China doesn't open soon, there is a huge risk that there's going to be ... five or maybe even 10 years of young Americans who'd just develop a really negative opinion of China," Beyrer said. "This is not good."

Only 2,481 American citizens went to China for studies in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to data released in October by the US-based Institute for International Education. This represented a 78.7 per cent drop from the previous year, marking a 10-year low.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a South China Morning Post inquiry about the number of student visas issued to US citizens since the coronavirus pandemic began.

While China's strict border policies during the pandemic have affected nearly all foreigners trying to enter the country, Americans have been especially hit hard as relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense.

The number of students from the US who studied in China ranged between 11,613 and 14,887 over the previous 10 academic years, according to the IIE.

Opportunities for Americans to develop expansive, in-depth experience by studying, working or living in China have helped seed the presence of "China hands" in the US government, private sector and academia. Some question whether such a cadre is or should be as influential as in years past, particularly following the administration of Donald Trump when many experts were considered too accommodating of Beijing. Yet Beijing's academics still consider US President Joe Biden's team of advisers on China to have a strong understanding of the country.

Regardless of their political bent, US policymakers across disciplines regard China as America's "most serious competitor" in the 21st century. Accordingly, the Biden administration has made clear it believes the ranks of China-focused experts in diplomacy, military and intelligence matters must grow.

However, Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund, said Beijing's current limited intake of international students could take a toll on how China analysts in the US are shaped.

"The lack of first-hand experience may lead to a diminished ability to understand and interpret China and its policies," Glaser said.

Other long-time China watchers have noted that Beijing's political clampdown, fewer job opportunities on the mainland and less leeway to enter as well as move about the country due to Covid-19 have all placed a strain on budding experts. But the situation affects young Americans especially because they have yet to build their networks and experience in China as their predecessors did.

(to be continued)

Translation

作為一名長春藤聯盟中的中國研究專業的畢業生，22 歲的Patrick Beyrer在所有合適的方格打勾，開始一份專注於中國的職業 - 合適的方格是語言技能、在大陸的先前經驗，最重要的是，一股熱情。

找到像 Beyrer 這樣的人絕非易事。儘管可以說比以往任何時候, 更需要有專業中國知識的人，如今想要從事中國研究的外國人越來越少。但Beyrer面臨著一個更常見的;的挑戰：他無法進入中國。

Beyrer 說: “在沒有面對面互動的情況下了解中國已成為一項挑戰”; 他是曾在2016 年和 2019 年訪問該國的美國人，每次都通過美國國務院進行為期數週的日程。

Beyrer 從中學開始就在美國學習普通話，他希望通過去年在北京一所頂尖大學就讀的碩士課程來加深他在中國研究方面的專業知識。

賓夕法尼亞大學畢業生 Patrick Beyrer 最後一次訪問中國是在 2019 年進行語言學習。 他希望作為碩士課程的一部分重新進入該國。

然而，距離新學年開始只有幾個月的時間，Beyrer 對他被允許入境的期望很低。自三年前因冠狀病毒大流行而暫停例行處理以來，中國尚未宣布是否會恢復對國際學生的簽證審批。

Beyrer說: “我認為，如果中國不盡快開放，將會有一個巨大的風險......五年甚至十年的美國年輕人只會對中國產生非常負面的看法”; “這是不妙的情況。”

根據總部位於美國的國際教育研究所10月份發布的數據，2019-2020學年只有2,481名美國公民赴華學習。這比上一年下降了 78.7%，創 10 年新低。

中國駐華盛頓大使館沒有回應南華早報關於自冠狀病毒大流行開始以來,發給美國公民的學生簽證數量的詢問。

儘管中國在大流行期間嚴格的邊境政策幾乎影響了所有試圖進入該國的外國人，但由於華盛頓和北京之間的關係仍然緊張，美國人受到的打擊尤其嚴重。

根據 IIE 的數據，在過去 10 個學年中，在中國學習的美國學生人數在 11,613 至 14,887 人之間。

美國人通過在中國學習、工作或生活獲得廣泛而深入的體驗的機會，有助於在美國政府、私營部門和學術界培育 “中國通” 。有人質疑這樣的被培訓者是否或應該像過去幾年那樣有影響力，特別是在特朗普政府之後，當時許多專家被認為過於遷就北京。然而，北京的學術界仍然認為美國總拜登的中國顧問團隊對中國有深刻的了解。

無論其政治傾向如何，美國跨學科的決策者都將中國視為美國在 21 世紀 “最重要的競爭對手” 。因此，拜登政府已明確表示，它認為在外交、軍事和情報事務方面專注於中國的專家隊伍必須增加。

然而，德國馬歇爾基金會亞洲項目主任 Bonnie Glaser表示，北京目前有限的國際學生收生量可能會對美國的中國分析師的形成可能會造成損害。

Glaser 說: “缺乏第一手經驗可能會導致理解和解釋中國及其政策的能力下降” 。

其他長期觀察中國的人士指出，由於 Covid-19，北京的政治鎮壓、大陸的就業機會減少、進入和在中國移動的餘地減少，都給嶄露頭角的專家帶來了壓力。但這種情況特别影響了年輕的美國人，尤其是因為他們還沒有像其前輩那樣, 在中國建立自己的網絡和經驗。

（未完待續）

Japan has resumed accepting tourists, why are foreigners not returning?

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

観光客受け入れ再開の日本、外国人が戻らない理由は？

2022.08.01 Mon posted at 14:19 JST

  （ＣＮＮ） アジア諸国が段階的に外国からの旅行者受け入れを再開している。だが観光客はなかなか戻らず、特に日本はその状況が際立っている。

日本は今年６月、夏の観光シーズンを前に受け入れ再開を大々的に発表した。入国管理局の統計によると、６月１０日～７月１０日の間に入国した観光客は約１５００人。コロナ禍の前の２０１９年に比べて９５％減った。

かつて観光地としてあれほど人気があった国に、なぜ観光客がなかなか戻らないのか。

日本が現時点で受け入れているのは個人ではなく団体の観光客のみ。欧米人は自由を好み、決まった日程に従って行動したがらない人が多いため、これは大きな問題だった。

「私たちにベビーシッターはいらない」。かつて日本を頻繁に訪れていた米ニューヨークのメリッサ・ミュジカーさんはそう言い切った。

夫とともに６回ほど東京を訪れたことがあるというミュジカーさん。２２年に受け入れが再開されたと聞いて早速再訪を計画したが、制限を理由に断念した。代わりに次の休暇は韓国で過ごすことにしたという。

「隔離は望まない。それは大きな要因だった。ただ行ってブラブラして買い物して、高いすしが食べたいだけ」とミュジカーさん。ビーチよりも都会が好きなこと、コロナ禍の間に韓国ドラマにはまったことも、ソウル旅行を決めた理由だった。

 完全解放に踏み切らない日本の政策の対象はビザだけではない。多くの場所で今もマスク着用が求められ、団体ツアーは料金が高く、入国時には隔離が義務付けられていることから、売り込みは難しい。

訪日客向けの会員制サービス「Ａｒｒｙ」創業者のケイティー・タム氏によると、コロナ禍の前までＡｒｒｙの会員は香港や台湾、韓国、シンガポールなどアジアからの旅行者が多数を占め、日本を年に何度も訪れたり、連休を利用して気軽に旅行したりしていたが、２０年から同サービスは休止状態を余儀なくされている。

Ａｒｒｙは米国のオバマ元大統領が訪れたすきやばし次郎や、最新のレストランランキングでアジア部門のトップになった傳（でん）など東京の人気レストランの予約も代行している。

現時点で予約の問い合わせがあるのは、商用目的のビザを取得できた少数の会員に限られている。非居住者が個人で日本に入国できる手段は現時点でそれしかない。ただ、混雑が少なくなったおかげで以前は予約が取れなかったレストランを予約できることもある。

それでも飲食店の多くは地元客でにぎわっているとタム氏は話す。つまり、外国人観光客が戻って来られるようになった時にも、そうした人気店は営業を続けているはずだ。

出入国在留管理庁によると、現時点で最も多いのはタイと韓国からの観光客で、６月以来、それぞれ約４００人が訪れた。米国からの観光客は１５０人にとどまった。

１９年、日本にとって最大の観光市場は９２５万人が訪れた中国だった。

しかし中国は今、実質的に世界から切り離された状態にあって、国民にも外国人にも厳格な隔離の手順が定められ、観光は停止状態にある。

その影響は日本だけにとどまらない。中国人観光客に人気があったオーストラリア、タイ、シンガポール、韓国も、多額の観光収入が失われている。

東京スカイツリーの広報によると、初めて外国人のツアー団体が展望デッキに戻って来たのは６月２７日だった。参加者は香港からの観光客だった。香港の住民も帰国の際にホテルでの隔離が義務付けられるが、それでも中国本土よりは海外旅行がしやすい。

いずれ日本が個人旅行客の受け入れを再開すれば、観光客が戻ってくる可能性は大きい。コロナ禍でためたお金を散財する「リベンジ旅行」の目的地として、日本は今も人気が高い。

Translation

  (CNN) Asian countries were gradually reopening to foreign tourists. However, tourists were not quite returning, and the situation was particularly obvious in Japan.

In June this year, Japan made a big announcement about its reopening ahead of the summer tourist season. According to Immigration Bureau statistics, about 1,500 tourists entered Japan between June 10 and July 10. It had decreased by 95% compared to 2019 before the corona pandemic.

Why was it so difficult for tourists to return to a country that was once so popular to the extent of becoming a tourist destination?

Japan currently only accepted groups of tourists, not individuals. This was a big problem because many Westerners preferred freedom and didn't want to follow a set schedule.

"We don't need a babysitter." Melissa Musicer from New York, who used to visit Japan frequently, said so.

Musicer had visited Tokyo six times with her husband. In 2022 she heard that it had been re-opened and she immediately planned a return visit, but she gave up because of restrictions. She said she decided to spend her next vacation in South Korea instead.

Musicer said “I don’t want quarantine. That is a big factor. I just want to go, hang out, shop, and eat expensive sushi". She liked the city more than the beach, and she was addicted to Korean dramas during the pandemic, which was another reason she decided to travel to Seoul.

Visas were not the only target of Japan's policy that would otherwise make restriction free totally. It was a hard sell because many places still required masks, expensive group tours and mandated quarantines when entering the country.

According to Katie Tam, the founder of ARRY, a membership service for visitors to Japan, the majority of ARRY members were travelers from Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore, before the pandemic. Members used to visit Japan many times in a year and would readily travel during consecutive holidays, but since 2020 the service was forced to suspend inevitably.

Arry also made reservations for popular restaurants in Tokyo, such as Sukiyabashi Jiro which was visited by former US President Barack Obama, and Den which topped the Asian category in the latest restaurant rankings.

At the moment, booking inquiries were limited to a small number of members who had obtained business visas. At present, for non-residents this was the only way to enter the Japan individually. You might be able to make reservations at restaurants that were previously unavailable, due to less crowded environment now.

Still, many of the restaurants were still busy with locals, Tam said. In other words, at the time when foreign tourists were able to come back, those popular shops should still be open.

According to the Immigration Services Agency, the largest number of tourists at the moment were from Thailand and South Korea, with about 400 visitors from each country since June. There were only 150 tourists from the United States.

In 2019, China was Japan's largest tourist market, with 9.25 million visitors.

But China was now effectively cut off from the rest of the world, with strict quarantine protocols in place for both citizens and foreigners, and tourism was put on hold.

Such impact was not limited to Japan. Australia, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea, which were popular with Chinese tourists, were also losing large amounts of tourism revenue.

According to the publicity of Tokyo Skytree, the first foreign tour group returned to its observation deck on June 27, participants were tourists from Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents were also required to have quarantine in hotels when returning to their home country, but it was still easier to travel abroad than those in mainland China.

By the time Japan eventually resumed accepting individual tourists, it was highly likely that tourists could return. Japan was still popular as a destination for “revenge trips” to spend the money saved during the coronavirus pandemic.

              So, Asian countries are gradually reopening to foreign tourists. However, in Japan tourists are not quite returning. At present mostly only group tours are permitted. It seems that Japan has to relax further its restrictions in order to attract more overseas tourists.