Japan to Begin 'With Corona' Policy Starting Next Month

Full Lifting of Emergency and Key Measures
Quarantine for Overseas Arrivals Shortened to 10 Days

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government will lift all state of emergency measures starting in October. This marks the first time in about six months since April 4 that all emergency declarations and priority measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 across Japan will be lifted, signaling a shift in Japan's quarantine policy towards "With Corona" (gradual return to normal life).

According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun and NHK on the 28th, the Japanese government gathered expert opinions in the morning, reported to the National Diet, and is scheduled to officially decide on the full lifting of the state of emergency at a COVID-19 task force meeting chaired by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide.

The Japanese government plans to lift the state of emergency in 19 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, out of the 47 prefectural governments nationwide. Additionally, the government will also lift the "Priority Measures to Prevent Spread," which are less stringent than the state of emergency, in 8 regions where these measures have been applied.

From October 1, the Japanese government will also ease quarantine requirements for overseas arrivals. For those who have completed vaccination, the self-quarantine period will be shortened from the current 14 days to 10 days. Furthermore, vaccinated individuals arriving from regions with prevalent COVID-19 variants will be exempt from the mandatory 3-day quarantine at designated facilities.

This decision by Prime Minister Suga, who is approaching the end of his term, is interpreted as a move to leave a political legacy and clear the stigma of an inglorious exit.

Meanwhile, the rate of people who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan is reported to be 57.2% of the total population, and those who have received at least one dose account for 68.7%.