“Amabie can be seen as an Edo Period (1603-1868) meme, [...] Amabie tells the public to draw [it], and then make that drawing go viral to prevent the plague." CEAS student Victoria Rahbar helps explain the recent popularity of Amabie, a mermaid-like supernatural spirit believed to ward off plagues.
Japan's long-serving chief cabinet secretary says the coronavirus pandemic has taught the country a crucial lesson on the perils of relying too much on China for key supplies.