With COVID-19 affecting activities globally and with many countries under lockdown, people from around the world have taken to social media to convey their worries, show the conditions of their environments, but more importantly, show support for one another in these uncertain times. Stay Home is a call-to-action to stay inside to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and up to now, America in particular has had large-scale online events to support Stay Home endeavors like Lady Gaga’s One World: Together at Home which was well-received globally. America has certainly caught the attention of the world, but other countries have also made big online endeavors in this time, particularly Japan.
#おうち時間 (O Uchi Jikan)
“O Uchi Jikan” (which roughly translates to “Home Time”) stands as Japan’s version of “Stay Home,” and similarly has had nationwide participants on the web and in social media. Here are a few examples of widespread online content relating to O Uchi Jikan.
Music
Singer, songwriter, actor, and writer Gen Hoshino posted his song in dedication to O Uchi Jikan entitled “Uchi de Odorou” (roughly translates to Dance on the inside) on his Instagram, and it had gone viral within a short time. The lyrics of the song empathize with people’s worries about the virus. Additionally, he invited his followers to add onto his song whether it be by dance, musical accompaniment, etc. The call-to-action was a nationwide social phenomenon. Famous comedian Naomi Watanabe also showed her support through a YouTube livestream collaboration that was heartful, funny, and overall supportive.
Sports
Key figures in sports have also played a role in supporting those at home. This support mainly took the form of training videos to help keep people healthy and in shape. Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu uploaded a video on YouTube demonstrating several exercises intended for junior and high school students who are unable to go to school due to the virus. The Japan Football Association had also uploaded a series of solo indoor soccer demonstrations to help relieve stress at home through sports.
Art
With the help of Google, Art institutions in Tokyo have also taken steps to preserve the appreciation of art by digitizing their exhibitions. Some notable examples are the Mori Art Museum’s digital exhibitions and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art’s virtual exhibition tours. Both museums offer an online viewing of their exhibitions in good faith that visitors will return to see them after the virus concludes.
The Takeaway
COVID-19 struck the globe in a way that certainly will prove difficult to recover from in this year and perhaps the years to come. Contrastingly, people all over the globe have shown solidarity in these uncertain times. The people in Japan have been supporting each other to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus through the various means listed above. Just like Stay Home, O Uchi Jikan serves as a guideline to stay safe and healthy until we can all meet again after the end of the virus. Until then, one can positively expect that the solidarity will continue going strongly.