Why I Cannot Support the Overly Self-Centered #SaveOurSpace Petition

We are preparing a petition for subsidies and collecting signatures to overcome the difficulties that cultural facilities such as live music venues, clubs, and theaters currently face because of the novel coronavirus. #SaveOurSpacehttps://t.co/OVObtymowj

— SaveOurSpace (@Save_Our_Space_) March 27, 2020

This “Proposal for Subsidies to Close Cultural Facilities to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus Infection (#SaveOurSpace)” aims for 100,000 signatures by the evening of the 30th and apparently had gathered 90,000 during the daytime on the 30th.

The Outrageous Argument: “Without Subsidies, the Spread of the Virus Is Unavoidable”

The signature form (This link was unavailable when checked in October 2026.) contains the following text, which I will quote.

To the Japanese Government and Members of the Diet
Live music venues, nightclubs, and theaters currently face a management crisis because of the novel coronavirus. With requests to refrain from events and nonessential outings, performances are being canceled one after another and revenue is plunging.
Although we understand that preventing clusters of infection is important in the present situation, economic circumstances have left us with no choice but to continue operating.
In these circumstances, employees, performers, sound engineers, lighting engineers, and many other people involved are suffering serious harm.

To prevent the spread of infection, we are therefore considering suspending audience admission until the government announces that the outbreak has subsided, with representatives of each venue taking the lead.
To suspend audience admission to prevent infection spreading, we request national subsidies for the period from February 26, when requests for voluntary restraint began, until the government announces that the outbreak has subsided.
These subsidies would include facility maintenance costs, employee wages, and event production expenses (performer fees, sound, and lighting).
For performances already canceled because of the novel coronavirus, we will also present the actual losses and request subsidies of an equal amount.

It is a fact that these venues have a greater likelihood of infection clusters than other industries, and we believe preventing the spread of infection now is extremely important.
If this subsidy proposal is implemented, cultural facilities, employees, performers, and everyone involved will unite to work toward bringing the novel coronavirus outbreak under control.

While venues are closed, we will also shift to activities such as audience-free live streaming and explore what we can do to continue and develop culture while eliminating the risk of infection clusters.

Source: Proposal for Subsidies to Close Cultural Facilities to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus Infection / Petition for Japanese government’s compensation for cultural facilities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. (This link was unavailable when checked in October 2026.)

Let me pick out the parts of this text that bother me and say my piece:

Does Your Own Safety Matter More Than Other People's Suffering?

Although we understand that preventing clusters of infection is important in the present situation, economic circumstances have left us with no choice but to continue operating.

Creating the conditions that cause clusters of infection is equivalent to committing terrorism.

Considering society, deciding to stop operating immediately should be unavoidable.

Everyone is suffering economically, but did you not consider whether there might be ways to monetize something under these circumstances?

You Still Have Not Stopped Admission at This Point?

To prevent the spread of infection, we are considering suspending audience admission until the government announces that the outbreak has subsided, with representatives of each venue taking the lead.

To suspend audience admission to prevent infection spreading, we request national subsidies for the period from February 26, when requests for voluntary restraint began, until the government announces that the outbreak has subsided.

“Considering suspending audience admission = still admitting audiences = still creating the possibility of infection clusters.”

I could understand, “We are prioritizing preventing infection, voluntarily stopping audience admission despite the economic crisis, but the financial burden is enormous, so please help.” That puts “preventing infection and society's welfare first.”

You have the order backward.

Damages from the Government?

For performances already canceled because of the novel coronavirus, we will also present the actual losses and request subsidies of an equal amount.

“Present actual losses and receive subsidies of an equal amount” is no different from demanding compensation.

Although the government's response has sometimes been criticized, the Japanese government did not spread the novel coronavirus and has no responsibility to guarantee the full amount of actual losses.

To repeat, “We took measures prioritizing infection prevention and society's welfare, but the burden is too great, so please provide subsidies...” would still be understandable if it offers social value.

The Madness and Ego of Caring Only about Saving Yourselves

If this subsidy proposal is implemented, cultural facilities, employees, performers, and everyone involved will unite to work toward bringing the novel coronavirus outbreak under control.

This, you could say, encapsulates the true feelings of the organizers and supporters.

It expresses an intention not to work toward containing the novel coronavirus unless the subsidy proposal is implemented.

Subsidies Are Debts for Future Citizens

A slight digression: I find it extremely difficult to tolerate people loudly demanding generous benefits and subsidies in a crisis.

Before talking about benefits and subsidies, I want you to consider this.

Of course, once a year or a few coins is nowhere near enough.

Subsidies come from the national government and taxpayers, but because they are not in the budget, they force debt onto our future selves and our children.

If debt is a necessary evil, most of it should go to organizations and people desperately trying to prevent COVID spreading now (primarily healthcare workers).

There is no room to allocate it to industries or people who think only of their own interests, nor should it be allocated to them.

The Target Should Be COVID, Not the Government

I found #SaveOurSpace deeply disappointing: it seemed to impose only its own demands and foreground hostility toward the government.

Our enemy is the unknown pathogen called COVID, not the government.

Most of those who supported this probably did so reflexively without carefully reading the content.

Many things in the world look wonderful at first glance but are harmful in reality. We must be very careful.

Finally...