Japan exits COVID chapter marked by lack of science

As downgrade nears, government should take stock of its response

Japan initially succeeded in limiting the spread of COVID-19 but has since experienced several waves. © Reuters

HISAHIKO YANO, Nikkei senior staff writer

January 28, 2023 13:33 JST

TOKYO -- Japan has finally decided to downgrade COVID-19 to a less-serious class of infectious disease, marking an end to a pandemic phase often shadowed by a dearth of coherent policy based on science.

Discussions on the downgrade themselves began belatedly last fall, exposing the government's inability to stay ahead of the curve as the virus evolved.