The feared collapse of the medical system has been avoided and the state of emergency has been fully lifted.
The number of deaths per capita in Japan is a small fraction of the figures for the United States and some European countries, which have imposed strict urban lockdowns.
Is it the nation's advanced medical system, or customs of hygiene, such as the wearing of masks? Or a type of gene common in Japanese that means people are more resistant to the virus? Or is it just a product of chance?
A scientifically-proven answer has yet to be found. That is why Japan must prepare for the possibility of a "second wave" while the spread of infections is slowing down.
In addition to increasing the number of polymerase chain reaction tests, antigen tests should also be used in combination to quickly detect potential clusters. The roles of local hospitals should be decided and prompt action should be taken if signs of infection are detected.
In 2010, a meeting organized by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry proposed strengthening testing and medical systems to prepare for the emergence of new infectious diseases, in the wake of an influenza pandemic in the previous year.
Not enough has been done over the last 10 years. There have been more than 800 coronavirus-linked deaths in Japan.
Lessons must be learned.
An epidemic is a kind of disaster. Similar to earthquakes and typhoons, outbreaks of infectious diseases are inevitable, but preparations and early warnings can minimize the damage.
Going forward, social and economic activities will proceed, with measures in place to prevent the spread of infections. Various events will resume in due course, and energy will return to cities and towns.
However, more than 10,000 people have already lost their jobs, and consumption has contracted sharply. International movements of people and goods have stagnated amid ongoing entry restrictions.
The end of the pandemic does not mean a return to daily life as before. The disaster caused by the spread of the coronavirus has exposed weaknesses in modern civilization, which has pursued efficiency through the concentration of populations in big cities and international supply chains.
On the other hand, the outline of a new society has emerged, one centered on digital technology, involving such practices as telework and online classes. While unknown pathogens will continue to emerge and spread around the world at an overwhelming pace, humans have the wisdom and hope to survive.
As the post-corona world emerges, I hope that no one will be left behind by the loss of human ties or a digital divide. We should not forget to build a safety net to alleviate the pain that accompanies reform.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
