Japan's downgrade on Monday of the legal status of COVID-19 will likely deliver the Japanese economy a 4.2 trillion yen ($31 billion) boost, driven in part by an increase in the number of inbound tourists, according to an estimate by a private sector economist.
Japan's planned end of existing COVID-19 border control measures early next month is fueling hopes for a further recovery in inbound tourists to pre-pandemic levels and beyond.
The survey found that hikikomori – people who choose to live isolated lives by spending all or most of their time at home – accounted for two per cent of people aged between 15-62
One in four people in Japan have said in a survey they will continue to wear face masks in all social settings, even after COVID-19 guidelines on face coverings are eased on March 13, citing reasons such as infection prevention and habituation.