A new study from Osaka University reveals the effects of Japan's voluntary approach to COVID-19, analyzing public behavior and perception during and after the pandemic. The research highlights the significant impact of state of emergency declarations, even in regions not directly subject to restrictions, and explores how the relaxation of policies in 2023 influenced public health behaviors.
In contrast to the lockdowns implemented in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan ese authorities relied on health advisories and encouraged citizens to follow them voluntarily. Now, researchers from Japan have investigated the impact of this approach on public psychology and health-related behaviors during and after the pandemic.
A study published this month in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, conducted by researchers from Osaka University, reveals the findings of a panel survey spanning 30 waves between January 2020 and March 2024. The survey examined the impact of Japan's state of emergency declarations on public behaviors and perceptions. The Japanese government declared a 'state of emergency' during the pandemic. However, health advisories and restrictions varied regionally, depending on the severity of infection levels. 'We discovered that despite regional variations in restrictive policies from April 2020, there were no clear regional differences in changes to hygiene behaviors, social activities, or risk perceptions,' notes lead author of the study Mei Yamagata. 'This suggests that there were significant spillover effects between the areas targeted for a state of emergency and elsewhere, whether through shared social and informational networks or simply through the media.' The researchers examined panel data on approximately 1,200 Japanese citizens throughout the country who were surveyed repeatedly over a period of slightly more than four years, starting from the outbreak of the pandemic. People's awareness of the risks associated with COVID increased after a state of emergency was declared in certain regions. We also saw a significant increase in hygienic behaviors such as mask-wearing and hand-disinfection. Even after the state of emergency was lifted in late May 2020, people tended to continue to follow these hygienic practices for some time.' commented Michio Murakami, author. In May 2023, the Japanese government officially downgraded the legal status of COVID to the same level as seasonal flu. The study also investigated the impact of this policy change on citizens' attitudes and behaviors. 'We found that the relaxation policy had several noteworthy effects,' comments Asako Miura, senior author. 'After it, people became less fearful of catching COVID and were less likely to engage in hygienic behaviors such as mask-wearing. Interestingly, we found that by this stage, people over 42 were less likely than younger people to wear a mask – a phenomenon that may be explained by optimism bias on the part of older people regarding their chances in the event of infection.' Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the COVID-19 pandemic is the last global public health emergency we will face, so there would seem to be much to be said for learning from the Japanese experience of managing the pandemic by obtaining the public's cooperation
COVID-19 Pandemic Japan Public Health State Of Emergency Mask-Wearing Hygiene Behaviors Risk Perception Social Impact
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