Japan COVID-19

As Japan reopens, a look back at its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic from the beginning.

Japan, which has imposed some of the toughest border measures amid the pandemic, continues its gradual reopening even as case counts soar.

The government has shifted its focus from prevention to priority treatment for the severely ill amid strains on the healthcare system.

The limited reopening of borders is a welcomed relief, but the damage to Japan’s reputation could take years to repair.

The cautious easing of restrictions stirred both hope and worry for the roughly half-a-million foreigners locked out of Japan since early 2020.

Japan is showing signs of a “sixth wave” of coronavirus infections as the highly contagious Omicron variant tears through the community. 

Many foreign residents have had their hopes to enter Japan dashed as new border controls make little impact. 

Japan's deadly summer peak, which brought the health care system to a standstill, has prompted a new coronavirus policy ahead of winter.  

Kishida came to power at a fraught time for Japan, both at home and in its foreign relations.

Tokyo is battling a surge in COVID-19 cases, but its initially slow vaccination campaign has surged ahead too. 

The home isolation policy is meant to ensure that hospital care is available for seriously ill patients.