Can Japan Win Over COVID-19 with Technology, Automation, and Telemedicine?
Having vaccinated more than 78% of its population, the country invests in digital transformation to get back to the new normal.
Facing the unexpected pandemic
On December 20, 2021, the Japanese government released a digital vaccination certificate app for its residents, making it available on both Android and iPhone. Storing their vaccination data, citizens can use the software for confirming inoculation status — by generating QR codes when entering restaurants or events, as well as traveling domestically and abroad. This measure is part of a larger initiative aiming to slow down the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing technology and automation.
While some countries are registering thousands of new COVID-19 cases per day, others were able to minimize the spread of the virus thanks to a set of safety measures. With a population of nearly 126 million people, Japan has been reporting less than 200 daily cases throughout November and December 2021. This makes Japan a regional leader in the COVID-19 Recovery Index compiled by the NIKKEI media agency.
The question is, how did a densely populated country like that manage to effectively reduce the spread of the virus? In brief, Japan is taking measures associated with vaccination, social distancing, and innovation.
