Abe continues playing golf after learning of bird flu outbreak

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has come under harsh criticism for continuing a round of golf after receiving a report on the course that bird flu had broken out in Japan.

According to Japan’s local news reports Monday, Abe gave directions to his secretary tighten quarantine after learning of the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the Kumamoto Prefecture, Yonhap reported Monday.

This was the first time in three years that AI had broken out in the nation.

Despite the urgency of the situation, he proceeded to complete his round with a couple of his Cabinet members and Hisasi Hieda, chairman of Fuji TV who is notorious for his ultra-rightist tendencies.

Abe had faced criticism early this month when he apparently exerted his influence for getting his cousin a job at Fuji TV.

After completing his round at 2:40 p.m., Abe headed home and began looking into the AI situation at 5 p.m.

The minister for agriculture and fisheries, who was among those who played golf with Abe Sunday morning, said the prime minister continued to complete his round, thinking that the situation was not so serious.