Contact-tracing app set to debut in Japan this week

Slow decision-making missed window of urgency following end of lockdown

20200616N Tokyo street Kagurazaka

A weekend stroll in Tokyo's Kagurazaka neighborhood: Japan looks to contract tracing to help fight a resurgence of coronavirus infections. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

JUN ISHIHARA and RIHO NAGAO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Microsoft engineers have helped the Japanese government create a contact-tracing app that officials hope will prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections, following more than monthlong delay in Tokyo's decision-making on the policy.

The plan is to have the software available for download as soon as this week, once Apple and Google sign off, Nikkei has learned.

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