Chapter 276: Self-Inflicted Troubles

The words of Minister of Health, Kato Yukio, struck Prime Minister Toyotomi Ichiro like a bolt from the blue. “Who would be willing to accept refugees from Japan knowing that a contagion has broken out?”

The Prime Minister’s face was tense as he asked, “Has the media caught wind of this?”

Kato Yukio shook his head, “Not yet. They are preoccupied with the second major earthquake and its numerous casualties. Nobody is paying attention to these few cases of illness and death.”

Toyotomi Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief and inquired, “How long has the epidemic been going on? Why report only after five deaths?”

Kato Yukio’s expression darkened as he replied, “Sir, this virus behaves differently from the common pneumonia virus. It’s extremely fierce. These five, reportedly, fell ill last night and died by this morning.”

“What?!” exclaimed Mizukawa Kazuhide, who was also present. “Don’t these viruses usually have a two-week incubation period? And even after showing symptoms, death doesn’t occur so quickly, right?”

Kato Yukio informed him, “I’ve asked Professor Fukuda from Tokyo Medical University to lead a team to analyze the virus. Their preliminary research has revealed the virus replicates a hundred times faster than ordinary pathogens!”

“A hundred times? How is that possible?” The color drained from Mizukawa Kazuhide’s face.

“Sigh, Professor Fukuda believes the virus’s genes have been artificially modified. That means someone probably took advantage of the earthquake to harm Japan.”

“Which country knew we were going to have an earthquake and took the opportunity to release such a virus?”

“What’s most terrifying is that it seems the virus spreads very quickly…”

As the two discussed back and forth, they didn’t notice that Toyotomi Ichiro had grown increasingly grim, his eyes flickering with an unusual gleam, his hands clenched tightly.

Mizukawa Kazuhide caught a glimpse of Toyotomi Ichiro’s state and, surprised, asked, “Sir, your instructions?”

Toyotomi Ichiro looked at Kato Yukio, “You must immediately lock down this information. Treat these cases as acute pneumonia. We mustn’t let the outside world know of the existence of this highly contagious disease in Japan.”

“Yes, I will ensure the message is contained.”

Mizukawa Kazuhide, realizing the gravity of the situation, added, “Right. If this leaks out now, no other country would welcome our refugees.”

Toyotomi Ichiro responded, “Exactly. For the future of our people, we must choose to hide this.”

Kato Yukio asked, “Sir, should we also trace the source of the virus?”

“Our time is limited. Our primary concern is to find ways to get more people off the islands. Kato, issue a gag order to everyone who knows, as soon as possible.”

“Right away, Sir.”

After seeing Kato Yukio off, Toyotomi Ichiro turned to Mizukawa Kazuhide, “Mizukawa, expedite arrangements for a televised address. I need to broadcast on schedule.”

“Understood.”

Once Mizukawa Kazuhide left, Toyotomi Ichiro grabbed a cup and hurled it to the ground. He then picked up the phone and dialed out.

“Mr. Takehara, you’ve committed an unforgivable sin against the Great Empire of Japan!”

The person called Takehara was bewildered, “Sir, what has happened?”

“The virus you researched, no. 3, has leaked!”

“What? How? Last night’s earthquake… it buried the lab…”

“You were aware of a leak, weren’t you? Why didn’t you report this to me?”

Mr. Takehara explained, “Sir, the main researcher of the virus attempted to retrieve sample no. 3 from the rubble last night, but was trapped by the collapsing building.

Although we rescued him, the sample should still be buried. I sent the institute’s staff home and arranged for the area to be completely buried over.”

“You fool! Knowing this, you should’ve immediately quarantined everyone from the institute and sealed off the area.”

“Sir, the vaccine for no. 3 is about to enter phase one clinical trials. Perhaps we could just approve it for use?”

Toyotomi Ichiro hesitated, “Is there any risk with the vaccines? They won’t cause the healthy to become infected, will they?”

“There’s no danger. The preliminary tests have proven the vaccine safe. It still needs to undergo three phases of clinical trials before it can be officially marketed.”

“How fast can we produce these vaccines?”

“The current line produces 60,000 doses a day. To expand would require more investment…”

“Produce at full speed immediately, prioritize supplying the Self-Defense Forces.”

“Understood.”

After hanging up the phone, a drained Toyotomi Ichiro slumped back into his chair, silent for a long while. Eventually, he muttered to himself, “Self-inflicted troubles…”

…

…

August 21, 2022, at noon Japan Standard Time.

Toyotomi Ichiro’s televised speech resonated throughout Japan and the world.

A single stone stirred a thousand ripples, throwing Japan into chaos.

Already a nation with a high rate of suicide, the prospect of their homelands disappearing into the vast ocean led many Japanese to opt for suicide.

But more people surged towards airports and ports.

The wealthier departed first, owning private planes. As Japan had visa-free access to most of the world, leaving the islands meant almost unrestricted entry elsewhere.

No one waited for the government’s proposed immigration survey. Indeed, civil servants themselves were no longer committed to such tasks in the face of disaster.

No one was willing to wait until the last moment to leave. Who could tell if a delay might mean perishing with the islands?

++++++++

In the underground base of the Tanga Federation in Africa, Du Qiu was looking into the matter of gene currency when Star Ocean sent an alert.

“What’s happened?”

“Sir, please look at this intelligence.”

The intelligence Star Ocean provided was about the super pneumonia virus spreading in Japan and Toyotomi Ichiro’s current plea for global assistance via a televised speech.

“So the Japanese created this virus themselves?”

“Yes, from a laboratory under Buden Pharmaceutical. They’ve also developed a vaccine that’s about to enter clinical trials.”

A cold gleam flickered in Du Qiu’s eyes. “They wanted to use the virus as a bioweapon. No changing their stripes. Ice, post this information on our official website and include evidence of Buden Pharmaceutical’ virus creation. We can’t just watch as it spreads from Japan!”

“Sir, might this cause other countries to reject Japanese refugees and doom all Japanese during the upcoming submergence?”

“That’s their own self-inflicted troubles!” Du Qiu spoke agitated, but immediately he reflected on the plight of the ordinary Japanese citizens.

“Star Ocean, give Takehara’s vaccine data to Professor Komura and let him research. We’ll try to produce a truly effective vaccine as soon as possible. Also, ramp up production of our special drugs; they might still work against this super virus. Additionally, we’ll donate rapid virus test kits and protective gear to all countries taking in Japanese refugees to use at their ports of entry to stop the virus from entering other countries.”

Du Qiu could only do so much to protect those willing to take Japanese refugees, excluding the United States.

“Understood, sir. But the current intelligence shows that due to Toyotomi Ichiro’s speech, flights have left Tokyo for various countries and regions. Many ships have also departed. Some among these people may carry the virus. The super virus developed by Takehara’s institute has been greatly enhanced; its virulence and contagiousness reach biological weapon levels. The key point is the time from infection to death is terrifyingly short, no longer than 8 to 10 hours. Meaning, if not rescued immediately after falling ill, there’s virtually no chance for survival.”

“Post the information now. We have to ensure that the virus does not spread beyond the Japanese Archipelago!”