Infectious Diseases and Discriminatory Conduct: Issues Brought into Focus by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic raised the issue of discriminatory conduct toward infected persons, their families, and essential workers in Japan. In some cases, the country witnessed a recurrence of past discriminatory practices toward persons with infectious diseases. This study reviews such instances of discrimination that occurred previously, legal evaluations of discriminatory conduct regarding infectious diseases, and the possibilities of such evaluations. Further, it discusses the issues raised by the pandemic regarding the prevention of discrimination against persons with infectious diseases to create a society based on dignity and mutual respect.