TOKYO -- Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso stirred controversy this month when he credited Japan's lower coronavirus death toll compared with the U.S. and Europe to the fact that "our cultures are at different levels."
The Japanese word he used, mindo, encompasses aspects such as education and norms of behavior. Aso's comment drew a backlash, with some online commentators quipping that Japan faring poorly compared with some Asian neighbors also must owe to different levels of culture.
