Compared to many other countries, Japan managed to keep the global coronavirus outbreak relatively in check. However, it still sunk its teeth into every aspect of our lives. In this photo gallery, we look at signs of the 新たな日常 (aratana nichijō), or “new normal.”
Deserted landmarks, packed hospitals: Sensoji temple in Asakusa is one of the most popular tourist spots in Tokyo. Due to the impact of the pandemic, however, tourism from abroad dropped 99.9% leaving once-crowded locations empty. | OSCAR BOYDCommuters walk through Shinagawa Station in Tokyo on March 2. | REUTERSAn enrollment ceremony for new students is held at the playground of Senju Sakura elementary school in Tokyo on April 6 amid concerns over the new coronavirus. Such a ceremony is usually held indoors in Japan. | KYODOAs the virus spread, hospital staff were stretched to the limit. Medical staff treat a patient infected with the novel coronavirus in an intensive care unit at St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital in Kawasaki on April 23. | KYODOMedical workers watch the Blue Impulse aerobatic team of the Air Self-Defense Force as they fly over a hospital to salute the medical workers at the front line of the fight against COVID-19 in Tokyo on May 29. | REUTERSThe Tokyo office of IT company GMO Internet Group is virtually empty as teleworking spreads in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in February. | KYODOA street in Kyoto is empty of tourists on April 18. | KYODOTokyo’s Marunouchi business and commercial district is deserted on June 24, with many companies closed due to coronavirus pandemic worries. | KYODOChiaki Michibayashi joins an online drinking session from her home in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, on April 8, the day after a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo, Chiba and five other prefectures in Japan over COVID-19. | KYODOA notably casualty of the pandemic was the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After being taken down in August for maintenance, an illuminated display at the waterfront of Odaiba Marine Park was lit up once again on Dec. 1, symbolizing the hope that the event will take place next year. | REUTERSYashiro Haga works in the kitchen of his empty ramen shop following the COVID-19 outbreak in Tokyo on Dec. 10. | REUTERSA geisha wears a protective face mask to pose for a photograph before performing at a party at luxury Japanese restaurant Asada during the COVID-19 outbreak in Tokyo on June 23. | REUTERS
