| When Japan tackled the first wave of the coronavirus without a lockdown, among the theories floated was the nation's higher "cultural standard"—a culture of mask-wearing when sick, and a low obesity rate were factors cited. Now, as it tackles a growing resurgence, the country is finding that it may not be so special after all.
Japan received international attention after it contained the first surge in April with its light lockdown, entering and leaving a state of emergency that placed no restrictions on businesses or movement. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed the methods as a model other nations could look to, and quickly moved on with the work of restarting the economy.
Restaurants reopened and mass events like sumo wrestling and baseball were back on by June. The government launched a campaign to encourage people to travel domestically to stimulate spending. That's all proving to have been hasty. Infections are now surging again to well above earlier levels and spreading to parts of the country previously untouched by the virus. Public frustration is mounting over the government's inability to tackle the increase, and questions are being asked over Abe's lack of leadership. The prime minister hasn't addressed the nation in weeks, leaving comment to his lieutenants.  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images AsiaPac Japan's situation now is the result of prioritizing economic recovery over infection control, and a cautionary tale of what happens when governments don't change their strategies in reaction to developments in the outbreak. Even as the virus continued to spread, Japan acted like it had disappeared—and this only proved to be fuel for the flareup. To be sure, things aren't approaching disaster levels yet. While cases are growing, they're not rising exponentially, and per-capita numbers are still low. The medical system isn't strained, and the number of serious cases in Tokyo has actually fallen. But local politicians are now worried enough to be taking things into their own hands. Okinawa has declared a state of emergency. Osaka is attempting to crack down on groups drinking together. And today, Tokyo is enacting its first restrictions since fully reopening in June, calling on bars and restaurants to close by 10 p.m. With the national government struggling to balance containment with supporting the economy, the country will have to hope the light touch will work a second time.—Gearoid Reidy | 
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