Sayonara to Japan’s COVID-19 Restrictions

Author: Inge Odendaal

Japan is bidding farewell to its COVID-19 policies and restrictions. Since early 2020, the country has implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus, including border closures, population movement restrictions, mask mandates, and a shift to online education and teleworking.^[1]Japanese residents restructured their lives to avoid closed and crowded places and close-contact settings.^[2] Now, after three years of implementing these preventive measures, Japan has lifted all border restrictions and mask mandates, while also downgrading the severity status of COVID-19.

On May 8, 2023, a significant change took place as COVID-19’s status was officially downgraded under the “Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases.”^[3] Japan’s Infectious Diseases Control Law (1998) divides transmissible diseases into five categories based on severity and contagiousness. Previously classified as Class Two, within the “Novel Influenza and Other Diseases” category, COVID-19 is now reclassified as Class Five, the same severity level as seasonal influenza.^[4] Consequently, the government no longer mandates daily infection control measures and has ceased providing specific guidelines to businesses for COVID-19 prevention.^[5]

Another notable change implemented by the Japanese government pertains to border restrictions and immigration rules. The country’s first border restriction was imposed on February 6, 2020, followed by a phased implementation of border closures, ultimately closing to international travellers on April 1, 2020.^[6][7] These restrictions suspended non-resident entries, allowing only Japanese residents and foreign nationals with residence status to enter.^[8] Gradual reopening of borders began in late 2022, accompanied by vaccination and quarantine requirements that were later lifted.^[9] As of April 29, 2023, all border restrictions have been suspended, eliminating the need for proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results for those entering Japan.^[10]

Since March 13, 2023, mask-wearing has been left to individual choice.^[11] Still, many residents continue to wear masks due to social values, previous mask-wearing habits, and peer influence.^[12] However, as COVID-19 cases decline, people across the country are gradually becoming more comfortable removing their masks.^[13] Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan’s prominent newspapers, revealed that 41% of participants welcomed the updated COVID-19 policies, indicating a positive response to the government’s approach.^[14]

In conclusion, the measures taken by the Japanese government to return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle are expected to remain in place and only the emergence of a new variant could change this trajectory. ^[15] Japan is steadfastly moving towards recovery from the pandemic, bidding farewell to COVID-19 restrictions with a resolute phrase: Sayonara.