Japan’s fifth wave of COVID-19 has subsided and the country is now looking to ease social and travel measures that were imposed during the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, there has been a distinct lack of clarity on the specific roles and responsibilities of the central, prefectural and local governments. This has resulted in delayed responses, miscommunication and intentional obfuscations that are far from helpful when Japan is in the middle of a health crisis.

It is now time for a serious debate on what Japan has learned since the coronavirus emerged almost two years ago, and what structural and legal changes are needed to address any weaknesses in the health system.