COVID-19 in Japan: 70 Million Infections and 130,000 Deaths Over Five Years
As Japan commemorates five years since the initial confirmed case of COVID-19, recent government statistics reveal that over 70 million individuals in the nation are estimated to have contracted the virus as of March 2024. Total reported fatalities reached approximately 130,000 by August 2024.
While annual death rates have decreased since the peak of the Omicron variant surge in 2022, the mortality rate from COVID-19 continues to significantly exceed that of seasonal influenza. The virus remains active, spreading seasonally during both summer and winter months.
Experts emphasize that while it was anticipated that the majority of Japan's population would eventually become infected, the rapid introduction of effective vaccines and various public health measures have played a crucial role in mitigating the severity of outbreaks.
Data from blood tests conducted by the health ministry in March 2024 across 22 prefectures indicated that approximately 60.7% of individuals had developed antibodies from prior infections with the coronavirus. Given Japan's population of around 120 million, this suggests that at least 73 million people have experienced COVID-19 at least once.
From the onset of the pandemic in 2020 through August 2024, the estimated number of COVID-19 related deaths stands at approximately 132,000, contrasting sharply with the roughly 3,600 fatalities attributed to influenza during the same timeframe.
Following the reclassification of COVID-19 to the same category as seasonal influenza in May 2023, the government ceased daily reporting of new cases, opting instead to publish figures from designated medical facilities. This change has led to a decline in reported cases, raising concerns about the true extent of the virus's spread.
In light of the downgrade in classification, the government has also phased out financial support for COVID-19 treatments, resulting in a growing reluctance among the populace to seek medical assistance when symptoms of infection arise. This hesitance complicates efforts to accurately gauge the current infection rates.
Although Japan's COVID-19 death toll is lower than that of many other advanced nations, the pandemic has had far-reaching consequences, contributing to declines in birth rates and an increase in suicide rates. Some hospitals and care facilities continue to impose strict visitation restrictions, while a resurgence of other viral and bacterial infections, such as influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia, has been observed as societal restrictions ease.
To utilize insights gained from the pandemic, a new organization modeled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States will be established in April 2025. This body is expected to provide guidance to the government on managing future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
