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Paper short abstract

This paper will holistically approach Japan’s responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic through the lens of international relations and medical diplomacy, central-local relationship in public health administration, the role of scientists in public policy, and economic interests and public health.

Paper long abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought havoc to the globe. Japan’s responses to this crisis took shape in the overlaying contexts of its diplomatic relations amid the rising Sino-U.S. rivalry, domestic political jockeying at both national and sub-national levels, and the tension among the medical, scientific, economic, and political communities. While Japan’s relative success in containing the infections is apparent in international statistical comparisons, evaluation of its policy is both complex and incomplete, as the country struggled to ride over the waves of infections.

This paper will holistically approach Japan’s responses to the pandemic through the lens of international relations and medical diplomacy, central-local relationship in public health administration, the role of scientists in public policy, and economic interests and public health. The complex coordination among conflicting interests yields a picture of compromises and inconsistencies, making the country’s “success” puzzling at glance. However, the paper further attempts to comprehend the complexity through an interdisciplinary, complex system approach, integrating political, economic, and public health administration analyses into one systemic analysis.