It is about time to create a new norm beyond the pandemic

I recently came across an article posted on May 27, 2020, on the topic regarding the stance of the Japanese government facing the COVID-19 pandemic and on the “Mysterious Mystery” of how Japan has limited the numbers of outbreak. Today, I would like to cover specifically on the subject.

How has Japan avoided a large outbreak even without conducting a large number of testing (the number of testing Japan did is only 4% of that of Italy) and “no enforcement” for closing or reduction of operation by non-essential businesses? Western journalism regards this as a “Mysterious Mystery.” They are seeking answers, but yet to find the reason on how Japan was able to contain the outbreak in such a limited time.

As the COVID-19 outbreak spread throughout the world, Japan was also affected by this devastating pandemic. On April 7, Prime Minister Abe declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures: Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka. On April 16, he extended it to nationwide. On May 14, the nationwide State of Emergency was lifted except for eight prefectures: Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Kyoto, and Hyogo. Prime Minister Abe finally lifted the state of emergency for these prefectures on May 25.

Despite the population of Japan being roughly 126 million, Japan has suffered about 17,000 confirmed cases and 900 deaths, avoiding a large outbreak compared to the United States or some European countries. Within the G7, Japan had the lowest cumulative numbers of new infections with 0.2 weekly (as of June 1, 2020) for every 100,000 people. To achieve this the Japanese government specifically put in place the following measures to contain the outbreak.

1. Provision and sharing of information

Provide the public with accurate information and clear message on the following points in a timely manner, promote awareness—raising to help change people’s behavior—and call for calm response.

• the infection situation and the medical information
• the medical service system and test system
• the establishment of the “new lifestyle” that prevents the spread of infection, including avoiding “3 Cs” (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) and basic counter-infection measures such as keeping distance, wearing a mask, and washing hands
• to refrain from leaving home when feeling sick
• the fact that a “lockdown” (city blockade) will not be taken.

2. Surveillance and information gathering

• Identify suspected disease carrier and conduct tests that the doctors consider necessary.
• Strengthen the testing system by utilizing local and private institutes. Introduce new testing technology promptly in the medical field. Promote the utilization of private testing institutes. Grasp the PCR testing system and make necessary coordination.

3. Pandemic prevention

• The prefectures under Specific Cautions requested cooperation in refraining from leaving home to “reduce the contact among people by 70% at a minimum or 80% ideally.” (Activities necessary for maintaining daily life and health—such as visiting hospitals, purchasing food, medicine and daily necessities, going to workplaces as necessary, exercising outdoors or taking a walk—are excluded.)

Although a “lockdown” (city blockade) has not been taken in Japan, I truly believe that the main factor came from each individual’s self-awareness in preventing the spread.

Now Japan is moving toward to creating a new norm for the recovery from the pandemic, while maintaining balance with prevention of the spread of infection and taking into account the situation of infection and the capacity of medical service system in the region, gradually increasing the level of socio-economic activities. By implementing the measures under the “Emergency Economic Measures for Response to COVID-19” (Cabinet decision April 20, 2020), including the supplementary budget for fiscal year 2020, nationally and locally, the Japanese government will work to prevent the spread of infections, strive to maintain employment, continue business, and support people’s lives.

Ono Kazuhiko (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Ono Kazuhiko is the Japanese consul on Saipan.