Japanese citizens' behavioral changes and preparedness against COVID-19: An online survey during the early phase of the pandemic

Abstract

The Japanese government instituted countermeasures against COVID-19, a pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus, in January 2020. Seeking "people's behavioral changes," in which the government called on the public to take precautionary measures or exercise selfrestraint, was one of the important strategies. The purpose of this study is to investigate how and from when Japanese citizens have changed their precautionary behavior under circumstances in which the government has only requested their cooperation. This study uses micro data from a cross-sectional survey conducted on an online platform of an online research company, based on quota sampling that is representative of the Japanese population. By the end of March 2020, a total of 11,342 respondents, aged from 20 to 64 years, were recruited. About 85 percent reported practising the social distancing measures recommended by the government including more females than males and more older than younger participants. Frequent handwashing is conducted by 86 percent of all participants, 92 percent of female, and 87.9 percent of over-40 participants. The most important event influencing these precautionary actions was the infection aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which occurred in early February 2020 (23 percent). Information from the central and local governments, received by 60 percent of the participants, was deemed trustworthy by 50 percent. However, the results also showed that about 20 percent of the participants were reluctant to implement proper prevention measures. The statistical analysis indicated that the typical characteristics of those people were male, younger (under 30 years old), unmarried, from lower-income households, a drinking or smoking habit, and a higher extraversion score. To prevent the spread of infection in Japan, it is imperative to address these individuals and encourage their behavioural changes using various means to reach and influence them.

Analysis of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 viruses, including influenza viruses, to determine the influence of intensive preventive measures in Japan

“…After Japanese government announced on the citizen to take preventive measures, "behavioural changes" (i.e. avoid crowded places, wearing a mask, handwashing with soap and hand sanitizers) were as clearly observed at the end of March [10]. Sakamoto et.al.…”

Public Health and Risk Communication During COVID-19—Enhancing Psychological Needs to Promote Sustainable Behavior Change

“…Two hundred six papers were excluded based on title and abstract screening, and 27 were excluded after reading the full paper. A total of 20 papers matched the inclusion criteria (36,(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56).…”

“…Out of the 20 papers included in this overview, 12 papers focused on issues relating to autonomy [i.e., cultural values, voluntary adoption of preventative measures, societal tightness vs. looseness; (36,(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)]; five papers related to issues of competence [i.e., adjusting messages to context, public involvement; (46,(49)(50)(51)(52)] and nine addressed relatedness (sense of community, trust) (36,38,42,46,51,(53)(54)(55)(56). Some of the papers addressed more than one issue.…”

“…Five papers relating to transparency and trust were identified in our systematic search (42,46,(54)(55)(56). Findings show that trust is a critical factor influencing the public's adherence to preventative measures during COVID-19.…”

Fiscal Responses to the Covid-19 Crisis in Japan

“…May 2020 (Expert Meeting 2020b). 4 The first wave consisted of a few initial cases from China and a large-scale cluster from a cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, and represented a wake-up call for the general public and the administration (Muto et al 2020). The first domestic case with history of travel to China was confirmed on January 16, 2020 and the first case without such travel history was discovered on January 28.…”