COVID-19 and Japanese Society: Summary of Governmental Policy and the Establishment of the Cabinet Agency for Infectious Disease Crisis Management

Abstract

The central theme of the countermeasures against COVID-19 was "how to balance the prevention of the spread of infection and socioeconomic activities." In the early stages of the epidemic, the aim was to reduce the flow of people by 70 to 80% by refraining from going out and conducting business. In addition, until the development of a vaccine and therapeutic drugs, we tried to determine the timing and methods of resuming socioeconomic activities. To consider creating a pandemic-resilient society, it is critical to look back on this history and understand the new national strategies for countering pandemics. This article reviews the government's actions involving COVID-19 and introduces the new governmental organization, the Cabinet Agency for Infectious Disease Crisis Management, established in 2023.