Japan has taken none of the strong measures adopted by other East Asian countries

フランスの戦略問題シンクタンクであるモンテーニュ研究所のデュシャテル・アジア部長が、日本の新型コロナウィルス対策を英語でまとめている。問題点も指摘しながらきちんと日本の戦略をまとめてくれている。こういう英語の発信、とても大事。 https://t.co/PemsW3BzeX

— Kazuto Suzuki (@KS_1013) April 7, 2020

No lockdowns, a very conservative testing policy centered on symptomatic cases, no digital contact tracing, no intrusive surveillance to enforce quarantine, open borders for a long time: Japan seems to have followed a unique path, taking none of the strong measures adopted by other East Asian countries. Yet the country has managed throughout February and March to avoid a major outbreak of COVID-19 with a package of mildly constraining policies – mostly social distancing "requests", limited travel restrictions and an emphasis on masks. However, the Japanese government is getting ready to adopt stricter measures to face the risk of a major increase of cases.

Key Points
1
Requests for "self-restraint" - social distanciation, personal protection - have been rather followed

2
A focus on small clusters to prevent the formation of larger clusters with investigation teams

3
Industrial mobilisation for a rapid increase of the national production of masks, tests and medical treatment

4
Mandatory hospitalization for all patients who test positive, even with no symptoms, as a legal obligation under Japan’s Infectious Diseases Prevention Act

5
A very restrictive approach to tests to avoid overwhelming the medical system

6
A legislative amendment to authorize forms of confinement and lockdowns as part of a "state of emergency" that has not yet been declared

7
The incremental preparation of the health system to a rapid increase of contagion

8
A massive stimulus package of 10% of GDP to be approved as a special budget by the Parliament