We heard from two bereaved families who lost their sons after COVID-19 vaccination. While the causal relationship remains unclear, they express anger at the contradiction of the government recognizing them for relief.
Three Years Since Then: “Time Has Stood Still”
A woman in her 50s living in Tokyo. She lost her eldest son, then 27 years old, three years ago in April.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t accept it, I don’t want to accept it. Even though over three years have passed, time has stood still.”
Her son had no underlying health concerns. He had gotten married the previous year and was living with his wife. It was the day after he received his third vaccine dose.
“His wife received a LINE message from him saying he had a fever over 40 degrees and was suffering. When she returned home, she found him lying on his back in the living room, unresponsive.”
His death was confirmed at the hospital after emergency transport. The cause of death was determined to be massive bleeding from the lungs and heart failure.
COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is not a physical place or cultural site, but a global scientific and public health achievement. Developed at unprecedented speed in response to the 2020 pandemic, it represents a historic milestone in medicine, utilizing novel mRNA and viral vector technologies to build immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Its rapid deployment marked a pivotal moment in the effort to control the pandemic and save lives worldwide.
LINE
“LINE” is a major Japanese messaging and social networking app, launched in 2011 by Naver Corporation after the Tōhoku earthquake disrupted traditional communications. It quickly grew into a “super app,” integrating messaging, social features, mobile payments, and news, becoming deeply embedded in daily life and pop culture, especially in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Tokyo
Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan, originally established as the small fishing village of Edo. It rose to prominence after becoming the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603 and was renamed Tokyo when the emperor moved there in 1868, beginning the Meiji Restoration. Today, it is a global metropolis known for its cutting-edge technology, dense urban landscape, and blend of historic temples with modern skyscrapers.
