Jan 2020

The first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Japan was reported on 16th January – a man in his 30s who had previously travelled to Wuhan, Hubei Province, tested positive in Kanagawa Prefecture. By 25th January, the number of confirmed cases in Japan was 3.

On 27th January, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared the novel coronavirus a "designated infectious disease" under the Infectious Diseases Control Law, while on 30th January the WHO declared "International Emergency" (PHEIC).

Feb 2020

Throughout February, there was an outbreak onboard the cruise ship “the Diamond Princess” docked at Yokohama Port. The passengers remained quarantined onboard the ship until disembarkation commenced on 21st February.

The first confirmed Covid-19 death in Japan was reported on 13th February.

On 27th February, the Japanese government requested the closure of all elementary, junior high, and high schools from 2nd March to the end of spring vacation.

Mar 2020

The word “sanmitsu” (the ‘three Cs’) entered the Japanese vocabulary. The government urged the public to avoid situations in which the following conditions occur: 1) poorly-ventilated closed space, 2) crowded space, 3) conversations in close proximity.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike urged people to cooperate with government countermeasures and warned that a lockdown might be inevitable in the near future. Governors of several other prefectures also issued requests for people to refrain from non-essential outings.

On 24 March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced a one-year postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Various sports events and concerts were cancelled or postponed.

Apr 2020

At the beginning of April, the government began requesting a 2-week hotel quarantine period for everyone entering the country, in addition to imposing an entry ban on 73 countries worldwide. Distribution by the government of 2 cloth masks per household across Japan started.

On 7th April, Prime Minister Abe announced a state of emergency for Tokyo and 6 other prefectures during 8th April – 6th May. This was the first emergency declaration in Japan, but a strict lockdown like that of many other countries was not announced, and many public services were maintained. On 16th April, the state of emergency was expanded to include all 47 Japanese prefectures.

May 2020

On 25th May, the previously extended state of emergency was lifted nationwide. With its national borders closed, Japan saw the lowest number of international tourists since 1964.

On 28th May, the government approved a second supplementary budget bill, including a 117.1 trillion-yen relief package to support companies and individuals impacted by the virus, such as by business closure.

Jun 2020

The distribution of 2 cloth masks per household was 96% complete by the 12th, while the 100,000 yen flat benefit was gradually being paid out to households throughout the country.

Talks about holding ‘simplified’ Olympic and Paralympic games in Tokyo in the summer of 2021 were taking place, while the government and the IOC remained adamant that games cancellation was not an option.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan introduced the country’s contact-tracing app “COCOA”. The app notifies the user of suspected contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Jul 2020

Many summer festivals were either cancelled or downsized and restricted. This included the three major festivals in Kyoto, including the Gion Festival in July. Cases were rising throughout the country.

At the same time, the government introduced the GoTo Travel campaign on 10th July. The campaign, whose budget was almost 1.68 trillion yen and began on 22th July, offered discounts of up to 35% on tourism, travel, transportation, restaurants and entertainment, with the aim of boosting the economy. Tokyo was excluded from the campaign due to rising infection numbers. The same day, Japan saw the highest number of recorded cases to date – 795.

Aug 2020

Festivals throughout Japan continued to be cancelled or downsized to maintain social distancing. Visiting one’s hometown (homecoming) during the Obon period was discouraged.

The peak of the second wave occurred at the start of August and gradually subsided into September.

On 29th, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation, citing health concerns.

Sep 2020

On 1st September, ‘Disaster Prevention Day’, as well as throughout September, which is a peak typhoon season, Covid-19 safety measures such as social distancing, disinfecting, and isolation of people with fever were tested at evacuation centers.

WHO announced that the start of vaccine distribution was expected to be around the middle of 2021.

Oct 2020

On 1st October, the Japanese government relaxed the entry restrictions previously in place concerning the entry into the country of foreign nationals with mid- and long-term status of residence in Japan.

The ‘Go To Travel’ campaign added Tokyo - including people entering from and into the capital.

Reports of the then US President Donald Trump getting infected with Covid-19, as well as of the spread and new waves of Covid-19 in Europe, were common in the Japanese media, too.

Nov 2020

November marked the start of the third Covid-19 wave in Japan, with cases exceeding the previous highs from July throughout Japan, including in Tokyo. Hokkaido and Osaka were particularly affected, and measures such as suspending inclusion in the ‘Go To’ campaigns, as well as shortening of business operation and requests for cooperation from the public were implemented.

Dec 2020

Approval for Covid-19 vaccines began in certain countries. On 2nd December, the British government approved the use of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine, and inoculation began on the 8th. On the 6th, large-scale inoculation began in Russia. On the 11th, the US FDA allowed emergency use of vaccines developed by Pfizer and others in the USA.

On the 18th, Pfizer applied for approval from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the use of its Covid-19 vaccine in Japan.

On 14th December, it was announced that the ‘Go To Travel’ campaign would be suspended nationwide from 28th Dec to 11th Jan 2021. The Tokyo Metropolitan government issued a warning regarding the New Year holidays, urging people to avoid gathering and going home.