How did the Tokyo Metropolitan Government respond to COVID-19?

Abstract

Tokyo Metropolitan Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While cities around the world are struggling to cope with COVID-19, the number of new positives and deaths in Tokyo has so far been relatively contained compared to other large metropolitan areas. In Japan, infection control measures do not prohibit people from moving around during a COVID-19 outbreak. However, people are not only refraining from travel and social activities at the request of the government, but are also using their own judgment to avoid risk based on information about the infectious disease. This plays an extremely important role in Japans infection control measures. Expectations are high in Japan for maintaining the health care system and minimizing deaths. It is necessary to steadily respond to these expectations while normalizing social functions.

Keywords: Japan; health care system; infection prevention; policy; public awareness.