Japanese media has been fanning the flames of panic in its breathless, melodramatic, musically-enhanced coverage of the “battle at the borders” against H1H1 Novel Influenza.

Since the first cases of H1N1 infections were detected in Japan, however, the number of people confirmed with H1N1 infection has skyrocketed, shattering the media-perpetuated myth that “it’s an overseas disease” and that somehow the disease could be “stopped at Japan’s borders.”

So, naturally, the administration of Prime Minister Taro “Dick” Aso launched an “important” public service announcement trying to calm the populace down. 

Contradicting itself repeatedly, the PSAs basically tell the public, “the sky is falling!” but “don’t panic!” 

* Don’t relax your guard against infection! If treated early, there’s nothing to fear!

* Don’t worry! Your government has stockpiled Tamiflu for 38 million people!

* If you become symptomatic with high fever and coughs, don’t go to a hospital! Call the H1N1 Fever Hotline in your neighborhood first!

Let’s hope that those suffering from ostracism, the “blame game” (and H1N1 influenza) recover quickly.

Let’s be angry at cynical TV networks that will clearly do anything, including inducing a panic, to increase their pitiful ratings. Bastards.

Let’s laugh at stupid politicians who try to “look presidential” but end up looking dorky and making things worse.

For those with a sense of humor, here’s a link to the PSA, with English subtitles added for better comprehension.

The current media frenzy over H1N1 overshadows the somber statistic that 32,249 Japanese people chose to end their own lives in 2008. 

Notable were increases in suicides by young people (under 20, 20s, 30s) and decreases in suicides by people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. People in their 50s remain the largest group.

One has to wonder what is driving more young people to suicide. Anxiety toward the future? Pressure at work? Too much TV?

Suicide does not have the religious or moral overtones as it has in the West, although I believe the “suicide is honorable” concept died with the last samurai (no, not the Tom Cruise version).

Japan, the country with the amazing shrinking population, would be better served by more focus on the forces driving suicides, not “exciting” video of masked medical crews racing through Narita.