Photo/Illutration Commuters head to their workplaces in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on April 13. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), the author of "Robinson Crusoe," also wrote "A Journal of the Plague Year," a novel sometimes classified as "history-cum-fiction."

As the story unfolds, a clear correlation emerges between the spread of the Great Plague of London in 1665 and the socioeconomic disparity that existed at the time. Wealthy Londoners had two alternative courses of action they could take: Flee the city at once, or stock up on food and hunker down at home.

But for the bulk of the less-entitled population, there was no choice but to keep working.

The first to become infected were servants sent out to wherever their employers commanded.

Since Defoe was 5 years old at the time of the Great Plague, he obviously researched past records to pen this work. And what he dug up revealed the ugliness of the class society that was London.

How does that compare to Japan today?

The Asahi Shimbun's "Koe" (Voice) letters to the editor section ran a contribution from a 35-year-old "keiyaku shain" contract employee on April 15.

She said even after the prime minister declared a state of emergency, it’s been business as usual, leaving her with no choice but to fight her terror of getting infected and continue commuting to work.

"I don't get paid if I don't report to work," she lamented.

"The government tells us to avoid closed spaces and crowds, and practice social distancing. But with the job I do, working from home or avoiding rush-hour travel is not an option."

There was clear note of desperation in her plea to the government to pay compensation, without delay, to workers who truly need it to survive.

What I might call "telework disparity" and "corona disparity" appear to be emerging among working people.

People are being forced to accept unreasonable working conditions just because they are not full-time employees.

Even if a subcontracting firm wants to suspend operations for its workers' safety, the company that places orders won't allow it.

I have heard of such cases. Every corporation and organization must be held accountable.

But most importantly, unless the government commits seriously to assisting workers who must take time off work, our society will simply collapse.

The COVID-19 crisis has brought many of the issues already inherent in our society into sharper focus.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 16

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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