Japan’s COVID-19 death rate is the lowest among the members of the OECD, reports Bloomberg News, a feat the country has managed without mandates and with few restrictions. The population has nonetheless continued to adhere to basic infection control measures, including mask wearing and avoiding poorly ventilated venues, and Japan’s measures have been bolstered by a robust vaccination program.

Research Director Kenji Shibuya is quoted as saying, “Thanks to the protection Japanese people gained through vaccination and natural infection, I don’t expect Japan’s hospitalization or deaths to increase dramatically any time soon.”

“How Japan Achieved One of The World’s Lowest Covid Death Rates,” Bloomberg.com
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-17/how-japan-achieved-one-of-the-world-s-lowest-covid-death-rates

Profile of Research Director Kenji Shibuya
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=653