API established “The Independent Investigation Commission on the Japanese Government’s Response to COVID-19” in July 2020 to examine how Japan responded to the COVID-19 crisis, and published a report titled “The Independent Investigation Commission on the Japanese Government’s Response to COVID-19: Report on Best Practices and Lessons Learned” in Japan in October 2020.

On 8 January 2021, API published the English version of the Commission Report and made it available online.

Please click the links below to download PDF files.

Part I – What is the “Japan model”?

Part II – The Japanese government’s response to COVID-19

Part III – Best practices and challenges

Part IV – Conclusion and recommendations

Special interview

Reference (Chronology et al.)

Under the guidance of the Commission, which consisted of four leading experts, the Working Group (WG) composed of 19 experts in medical, law, public policy, crisis response, health security, and international relations, conducted 102 interviews with 84 government officials and experts, including the former PM Abe, the former Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga (currently the PM), the former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Katsunobu Kato (currently the Chief Cabinet Secretary), as well as numerous other senior government officials who provided insight on the background of the events.

Foreword

Part I
What is the “Japan model”?

Part II
The Japanese government’s response to COVID-19

Part III
Best practices and challenges

Part IV
Conclusion and recommendations

Special interview

Reference

List of members of the Working Group

Photo Credit: BlackJack3D / Getty Images (Part I, Chapter 1), Carl Court / Getty Images (Part II, Chapter 1),
Jiji Press (Part I, Chapter 2; Part II, Chapter 2-9; Part III, Chapter 1-9; Part IV)