Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Norihisa Tamura, left, and Shigeru Omi, right, head of the Japanese government's coronavirus countermeasures subcommittee, are seen during the subcommittee's meeting in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Sept. 3, 2021. (Mainichi/Naotsune Umemura)

       TOKYO -- The Japanese government is set to finalize its road map for relaxing restrictions on the movement and behavior of people that have been vaccinated -- which would allow dining in large groups and hospital visits as early as November -- based on a recommendation compiled Sept. 3 by its coronavirus countermeasures subcommittee.

       Japan's business circles had asked the national government to take measures to ease restrictions on people's activities when progress is made in the country's vaccine rollout, as such moves have already been spreading overseas. Members of the coronavirus countermeasures subcommittee, including chairman Shigeru Omi, have discussed the matter since around July. The Japanese government has finally begun to move toward reviving economic activity while also adopting infection countermeasures.

       The expert panel's advisory pointed out that there is a limit to vaccines' effectiveness for preventing infections as well as the development of severe symptoms, and that it is highly likely that vaccination rates will remain at around 60% for people in their 20s and 30s, 70% for those in their 40s and 50s, and 85% for individuals aged 60 or older. The recommendation stated that it is necessary to continue practices that place restrictions on daily life, including wearing masks.

       In order to achieve a return to life with few limitations, the experts proposed the implementation of a "vaccine/test package" system that certifies people vaccinated or testing negative for the coronavirus as having low risks of infecting others. The recommendation refrained from using the term "vaccine passport," out of concern that it may mislead people to think that everyone must have one, leading to a divide in society, despite there being individuals who are unable to be vaccinated due to allergies and other reasons. The expert group stated that under this system, an individual's vaccination history will be confirmed using vaccination certificates, while setting an expiration date in accordance with the period that the person possesses antibodies.

       The government aims to implement this new system in early November, when most people wishing to be vaccinated will have had their shots. As for specific settings for which the system can be used, the recommendation gave examples of visits to medical institutions to meet hospitalized patients, business trips and travel across prefectural borders, large-scale events where people gather from across the country, face-to-face university classes, and dining in large groups. It also stated that when put to actual use, the system should be carried out as "envisioned voluntarily by the private sectors."

       However, during the subcommittee meeting on Sept. 3, health care experts voiced concerns that people may let their guards down due to the advisory, with one saying, "Vaccine efficacy is still uncertain. People may think that if they get their vaccine shots, they can do anything."

       Meanwhile, an economic expert commented, "For the sake of business, too, we should present a long-term outlook." Chairman Omi ultimately wrapped up the debate and compiled the recommendation.

       However, experts have also requested that the recommendation not be regarded as a push for a complete relaxation of restrictions. The recommendation stated that restrictions on activity can be introduced if a state of emergency is issued. Takaji Wakita, head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), said, "relaxing restrictions in regions under states of emergency is unthinkable," and emphasized the need to utilize the new "vaccine/test package" certification system while taking sufficient infection countermeasures even under normal circumstances.

       (Japanese original by Hiroyuki Harada, Sooryeon Kim and Takashi Kokaji, Lifestyle and Medical News Department)

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