If you are a foreign resident (either permanent, long term or short term) of Japan, do you currently feel safer living here amid the coronavirus, or would you prefer to be in some other country?

A country where you can get easily tested.

I would prefer Germany.

Because honesty,responsibility and transparency are what Merkel administration is giving to it’s people.

Years of heavy investments in social welfare also play a major role.

Merkel is competent about this field as well,unlike some other country that has a population which is way bigger than Germany but keeps the testing minimal and cares only for the Olympics and the big corporations and at the top of that in a period of a pandemic encourage it’s people to go to travel.

Australia. My family can be covid19 tested for free, more readily and have the results within 12 hours.

Also tracing and information of where exactly cases or clusters have occurred is given more clearly and frequently.

And despite some bungles the 14 day quarantine for overseas arrivals is enforced by law.

Complaining about how the Japanese government is handling this pandemic is one thing. But you should ask yourself if you actually feel safer in Japan. Even in Tokyo, I’m pretty sure most people feel safe because in case you all forgot, we’re talking about 15 million people and things are not as bad as one might think. People know the meaning of following the rules. That makes a huge difference. That being said, yes the J government cares way too much about the economy and the Olympics.

I would rather be in Canada, Australia or New Zealand. In Canada, The government is vigorisly testing with contact tracing and closing schools down and pushing studying and working from home. They are not fudging the numbers and they are providing relatively adequate gov assistance for those hit by the pandemic. Most of my family is there, and they seem to be doing fine. In these trying times, I'm MUCH rather be in a country run by Canada's liberals than by the incompetent LDP with their "Go To Infect" campaign. Or by the Adern and Morrison Governments which have proven very competent and responsible.

I have never been so happy that I am no longer living in America.

New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea are some of the countries who’ve done a better job on this.

Knowing what’s really going on in Japan with Covid is basically impossible, but having lived here and seen how government operates for two decades, that is to be expected.

Safer here, for the most part.

It's obviously distressing to read the efforts of covid deniers and anti-vaxxers, but they seem to be in a vocal minority.

The only people that I see maskless tend to be some fellow foreign residents and elderly Japanese males. Not sure why this is - and it's maybe only a handful each day - but it's still concerning.

I feel very safe here!

I voted yes because the alternative is the UK.

I also live in the countryside and don't meet many people very often.

Here.

I'm not scared of this virus per se. Rather, I think we're fortunate that the Japanese government doesn't have the ability under the constitution to lock the country down or enforce vaccination for those who don't want to take it or are not at risk, just "urge." This measure protects us from governments who overstep the line, as it was designed to do and as governments the world over are wont to do.

If you feel you're at risk, stay home or self-isolate in some other way way, or take a vaccine if you wish. If I were in a high-risk group, I most likely would take one that's demonstrated to be safe and effective. Our society is heading back down the road of expecting governments to do their thinking for them and providing protection at whatever cost. That hasn't worked out well throughout history, and won't do so in the future either.

This won't be a popular opinion, but so be it.

If you feel you're at risk, stay home or self-isolate in some other way way, or take a vaccine if you wish.

Alternatively, go about your business if you must - but please wear a mask, maintain distance and use sanitizers/wash your hands and don't put the rest of us at risk if you are unable to do these simple things.

Hey Mark,we europeans are not a country but it’s a continent!

I’d rather be back home in NZ but just for the Christmas and visiting my family. However, I do feel safe enough in Japan right now... I’m not sure I would have said the same back in April or May.

I’d rather be home, in the U.K. where the virus is recognised as a problem by the authorities and you can get tested. I’d feel much safer being in London’s lockdown, knowing I’m not getting jostled and hassled in the supermarket by someone whose hands has been raking through the fruit and veg, or sat on a crowded bus or tube. I wouldn’t be blamed for spreading the virus, neither, due to my citizenship or skin colour.

Honestly Luddite - You would REALLY rather be in the UK? Right now, after everything that has come to light this weekend? Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Taiwan? Sure, I'd get that Yes, sure, I do really get your concerns about being here, Bit hand on heart...the UK? Have you spoken to people there? I do everyday. They are downright fed up/miserable/depressed. Parents at the absolute end of their tether. I don't buy your answer.

Just top stay on topic - I'd rather stay here. Where my job is, where my home is and do the best to keep myself safe.

Our society is heading back down the road of expecting governments to do their thinking for them and providing protection at whatever cost. That hasn't worked out well throughout history, and won't do so in the future either.

This is exactly the attitude that has made the pandemics so much worse than it needed to be. The fact is the government needs to protect society against the idiots who behave in such a way as to negatively impact all because they are selfish or stupid or both. Do not think this is true, check the numbers of smokers in Japan and the 15,000 deaths they cause per year with second hand smoke. Same point for those people in Japan who believe that COVID is a hoax and then spread the disease to others who get sick and in some cases die. The whole libertarian argument, juvenile as it so clearly is anyway, has been been utterly destroyed by the pandemic. We are all at risk together facing this disease and the government is the only entity that can address society as a whole to fight it. Clearly some governments, like China and NZ, have done a better job than Japan but leaving a pandemic to individuals to respond to person by person is a recipe for disaster and greater numbers of deaths. Where that has been the national policy like in Brazil and the USA the results speak for themselves.

As Orwell said we need to face unpleasant facts and deal with them. Not hide behind an adolescent fantasy that is destroyed by even a casual understanding of realty.

Nowhere is 100% safe, but I do not feel at all unsafe in Japan.

I miss my children, and I feel anxious for them. In that sense I wish I was over there to be near them. My daughter in the UK says most of her friends have actually had WURS recently and the net is tightening around her, but they've mostly told her it's like a bad cold with a high temperature for a couple of days, so she doesn't worry at all. Since she figures that she and her generation are way down the list of priorities for the vaccine, maybe next September, it makes sense to her to catch it now and get some decent antibodies into her ASAP. In light of what she said, I can sort of see why some people still want to go out and party.

I feel safer and more free in Japan. I'm glad I'm here.

Honestly Luddite - You would REALLY rather be in the UK

Yes, why would you doubt my sincerity. The virus is everywhere, is endemic here as elsewhere. If I have to be somewhere it would be with family and friends, in an environment managed to try and mitigate the virus, where I can get tested, vaccinated and where I can offer skills and experience to the NHS.

The virus is everywhere, is endemic here as elsewhere.

Indeed it is.

If I have to be somewhere it would be with family and friends

That's not Japan's fault.

in an environment managed to try and mitigate the virus, where I can get tested, vaccinated

67,401 deaths vs 2,784

and where I can offer skills and experience to the NHS.

Again, not Japan's fault.

Agreed - with you - it is everywhere. But - You could bot be with family and friends even if you were there! Unless you hail from Cornwall, pretty much. Did you not watch Hancock on TV? It is a very rash statement, but he did say it is now "out of control" - I think PerformingMonkey has already done enough to put paid to your statement,

Now - you are clearly patriotic ( nothing wrong with that) - But if you have the skills and experience to offer the NHS which are clearly needed as much as possible AND you'd rather be there , may I ask what on earth you are STILL doing in Japan and complaining about how awful it is here and the way they have handled this (which you do have every right to do so). I just cannot understand your comments. They almost verge on lunacy.

So, so defensive. My personal opinions and experience offends so, I live here so I am well placed to offer an opinion. Most foreign residents living here would agree that this year has has been quite an eye opener.

I could see family and friends in London, you can meet up outdoors.

As for being in Japan, I tried getting home for Christmas but couldn’t get a flight, before that for much of the year I couldn’t leave. Remember, if I left the government wouldn’t let me back. Looking to go home in January, if I can get a flight, lockdown, here I come

As Orwell said we need to face unpleasant facts and deal with them. Not hide behind an adolescent fantasy that is destroyed by even a casual understanding of realty.

There's a difference between facing unpleasant facts and dealing with them, and handing over personal responsibility to people who don't give a damn about you and will sell you out if it suits their interests. That's politics and it's always been so. The libertarian argument admittedly has problems in the situation we're in now, but humans as a species have not yet been able to devise a system that works in every conceivable situation because of the diversity of human nature. The libertarian one requires people to think and voluntarily cooperate. It's not juvenile, but perhaps it does expect too much from people who are encouraged to believe the state is a generous benefactor that can solve their problems. That's why, in recognising that there will inevitably be some kind of state (I accept the presence of a safety net for people who can't look after themselves, but not for those who can't be bothered, and a certain level of regulation to prevent environmental disasters, etc.), there need to be tight checks and balances on governments to ensure they don't abuse their power. Such abuses includes bribing people with handouts and promising security that they can or will only deliver for a very high price.

But of course they don't tell you what that price is. 1984 is Orwell's warning about what could happen when enough people willingly give up their responsibility to think, but don't realise the price has been to high until too late. In the UK and Europe, they're told to lock down to flatten the curve. But that doesn't work. So they're told to repeat the same error a couple more times, but again it doesn't work. How many times is it not going to work? In the meantime, life changes irreversibly to the "new normal." Remember that phrase? Once everyone gets the jab, you'll be free again. Yeah, right. Enforcing lockdowns has not been the answer, and have caused more social damage than it has solved, and that damage can't be undone. But don't worry, Boris, Macron, Andrews, Merkel, Gates, Bezos, Newsom, Whitmer and plenty more are all right, thanks, not subject to the rules that they impose on everyone else. For all Japan's faults, at least it has the constitutional limit I mentioned in the previous post.

Obviously Japan! Not only this is the best country on earth (IMHO), but it's constitution doesn't allow the government to overstep their powers with lockdowns or mandatory masks or vaccines, basically only friendly requests. One can only be so grateful!

Glad I'm in Canada. They tell you what's going on and just in my province topped 65000 tests in a day. Healthcare professionals lead politicians and talk to the public. Are not in hiding. What a concept. (Almost?) all are women too who fought ebola, SARS, and are highly distinguished doctors. They are literally the responsible adults in the room.

Financial support for those that get sick. Could be better like NZ and Australia of course with fewer cases. But if you're in a jam Canada is showing its metal. I think it helps being a winter country. Staying home and finding things to do just more so.

Also with high-speed Internet working from home is very common since the beginning. We're likely heading to a Christmas lockdown. People respect others space with real social distancing and wear a mask.

Not perfect, we have our morons too but they're not in charge here. Utterly aghast at our southern neighbours; anything but that

Canada's benefit program CERB is over now but it supplied CAD$2000 a month for 6-7 months to about 8 million people. Saving people first with the byproduct of saving the economy second.

Government under pressure to make a UBI instead as it works and would be actually cheaper. But our PM has an odd visionary flaw and simply doesn't believe it, even though CERB saved the nation, it's weird. Anyway at least someone else figured it out. Not known how 2021 is going to fair though. However Vaccinations are underway. We're expecting general population vaccine rollout in March? April? After healthcare workers and elderly

Anywhere they realise the scale of the problem and can adapt effectively and quickly to the changing situation as a result of the pandemic, whether in the form of a mutating virus or strain on the medical system. In other words, definitely not Japan.

Frankly Luddite - I am a little tired of this "I can't get a flight nonsense and can't get back in" nonsense from you now. I know many people, mostly foreign residents who have travelled to the UK since October and, yes, there are some rules in place which right OR wrong are part of international travel right now. Everybody has a had a pretty hassle free experience. And, please, don't whinge about the pre flight testing anymore. You've just stated that you would go to London and once again, I am telling you it is EASY to get a test there for a declining amount of money that satisfies the authorities here upon arrival. If you want the details please free to ask so the mod will let me post.

Australia where they get onto outbreaks quick smart, free testing and a population that the take the pandemic seriously.

Feel safe here but sure wish I could get an antibody Test for free. I think my spouse and I had this corona after two weeks in Taiwan and HK last late December.

and @Luddite: Availability leaving tomorrow , ANA to London, returning on the 30th. 151,000 in Economy. Not bad for Christmas. Can't get a flight? Really.

@Luddite

As for being in Japan, I tried getting home for Christmas but couldn’t get a flight

Your post made me curious. Try www.skyscanner.com. I just checked while writing this and there are numerous options available (more than I thought). Emiritas has a deal from Tokyo to London for about 83,000 Yen in economy. I checked departing tomorrow and returning January 3. Prices go up from there and there are non stop options available as well

@theResident

I know many people, mostly foreign residents who have travelled to the UK since October and, yes, there are some rules in place which right OR wrong are part of international travel right now. Everybody has a had a pretty hassle free experience. 

I cannot speak for the UK but for Americans is it a bit harder to get a test and the results returned within the 72 hour time frame. I know a couple of people who did it but they had U.S. health insurance providers. When I looked a while ago. Lots of the testing is being offered but test locations are limited to people with a certain insurance provider or to someone who can prove residence. One of my friends was considering going back but in his case it was so onerous he decided not to. I am glad it is better in the UK. Again I believe it is due to the National Health Plan (major U.S. weak point...health insurance)

@Tokyo-Engr:

If you want the paper to travel, you do have to pay. BUT - the price has come down a lot. If you test before 2pm, you can get your certificate next day for around 2man. Not ideal...I KNOW. But not totally out of the question if you feel you must travel!

New Zealand. No COVID, a resposible proactive government, and people are going about their lives as normal.

@theResident.....are you talking about the required test in the U.S. which is required 72 hours before the flight's departure? My specific concern is the test before the flight back. I was not worried about the cost it was the ability to get a test and get the results in time.....thanks..

@Tokyo-Engr: I was actually referring to what is available in London re @Luddite. Apologies for any misunderstanding. But yes, THE required test.

I feel just as safe in Japan as I do anywhere in the three other countries in which I have citizenship. But feeling safe and feeling “welcome” is different... if I were to leave Japan it would be extremely difficult to re enter, despite testing negative. A good question to ask would be: do foreign residents of japan feel any difference in their daily lives since the situation became worse in Japan?

Sideways glances, vacating train seats, etc...

I don't FEEL safer here than anywhere else. Im safe period. I and my family are not in our 70s, overweight or have any preconditions. In other words, I worry about Corona about as much as I do for the flu.

I and my family are not in our 70s, overweight or have any preconditions.

One of you certainly has underlying issues though. And the Corona walls can close in on anyone of any age. I do worry for your family.

cheers, ClippityClop. I know that you do enough worrying for the both of us.

Godspeed.

good question to ask would be: do foreign residents of japan feel any difference in their daily lives since the situation became worse in Japan? 

Sideways glances, vacating train seats, etc...

No difference apart from the obvious - wearing masks, not touching, standing on the lines in the supermarket, etc. Same as everyone else.

Sideways glances? No.

Vacating train seats? Been on a train just once since the pandemic started, didn’t notice anything different from usual except everyone was more spaced out than usual.

I certainly would not want to be in the UK right now, and I worry about family who are there.

A good question to ask would be: do foreign residents of japan feel any difference in their daily lives since the situation became worse in Japan?

I had a conversation with my landlord who worried that Europeans are more susceptible to this virus. Something about BCGs and Europeans eating fewer fruit and vegetables. I didn’t bother following the latter point up.

Quite sweet.

I had a conversation with my landlord 

You still dealing with landlords??

I feel much safer here, but for completely other reasons. COVID-19 is not the decisive criteria, as you can avoid it for a long time or being immediately infected at any place here or there.

Any country like South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, where they do "real" testing (for free) and contact tracing. The only reason the numbers are low in Japan is because of the feeble testing they are doing.

Safer in Japan. Most Japanese wear a mask when out and about in public. There are a few Japanese who don't wear a mask, but in general they understand the logic and reasoning better than the people in many other countries.

I prefer the North Pole. I hear there is no Corna in Santa's Wonderland.

I would probably feel safer in regard to Covid-19 in a number of other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, or Taiwan.

Easier access to free testing; Stricter government-mandated safety measures; More robust government economic assistance; Better-equipped medical infrastructure and more ICU-trained trained personnel.

But, I do not necessarily want to live in any of them full-time.

I had a conversation with my landlord who worried that Europeans are more susceptible to this virus. Something about BCGs and Europeans eating fewer fruit and vegetables. I didn’t bother following the latter point up.

Quite sweet.

"Quite sweet" is not a term I've ever heard to describe racism before.

Japan is probably the best country overall to be situated in for the duration of the pandemic, especially if you are a younger person (for older people, some of the positives of the success in Japan may not be useful for them and hence they may be content with the situation in several other countries).

I know Japan Today has a horribly anti-Japan bias, but generally the financial considerations in Japan (including the high savings rate) mean that the minimal disruption to business operations can be compensated for. Only Taiwan has managed to keep better normality and that's almost like a extraterritorial province of Japan (and China has also returned to a sense of normality too). New Zealand has gone way too far in its attempt to prevent further infections whereas Australia has not managed to prevent disruption to its native festive period (I honestly think that Christmas is a low priority for Japanese people).

I would go back to home country such as Europe if I were a foreign resident. Because I have not been able to see our government's serious attitude to third outbreak occurring now. We have gotten advisories, however they do not work well. More strict counter measures are urgently needed though. In contrast, European countries, for example, have applied measures in response to their conditions.

Living in Ishikawa far away from an major city though there were some cases in Kanazawa in the beginning but still far away from where I live. I am feeling very safe where I live. My wife who is Japanese and I do not plan to go overseas until this pandemic has been over for a few years.

Wobot

If you're scared of a virus on par with the flu, please feel free to lock yourself in your residence and never go outside ever again. Meanwhile, people who follow the actual science, not media scare stories, will be free to live their lives

If you're comparing covid-19 to the flu, and ignoring the merits of the restrictions, then you're obviously not following the actual science and academic, peer reviewed papers.

Finland.

People are encouraged to get tested even from the slightest symptoms, and everything is neat, organised, efficient. Majority of things happen online, making them quick. No need for hankos, and forms, and numerous phone calls, and 'shouganais'. They just get things done.

People are informed, and being informed. Restrictions happen, when they're necessary. The government acts quite swiftly, when new information occurs. No meetings to think about possibly having a meeting where a possible solution may be decided, like in Japan.

Bonus points for the covid-19 sniffer dogs at the Helsinki airport.

I’d rather be in a country where the leadership is visible, proactive and onto the situation. Rather than the tepid requests coming for the ‘leadership’ here. The cases in my town are increasing daily due to a number of factors including complacency among the general populace and lack of strong leadership.

Vaccine aside, there are many, many fewer cases in Japan than many other countries. The number of deaths is also extraordinarily low. And since Japan seems to only be on a semi-lockdown, my family and I are better off here than elsewhere.

On balance here in Japan, because a lot of the social practices that can make often this a predictable, frustrating and cold society are for once keeping us safe, but as I drive everywhere now I'm not experiencing the same stress as others from sharing crowded trains with potential carriers.

Wobot Today  10:39 am JST

I am actually amazed that the countries most well known for individual liberty are the ones that are restricting them the most while Japan is cruising along just fine. The amount of government overreach is massively disproportionate and unwarranted.

Compare California and Florida. California turned itself into a prison for nothing. Florida just let people take it into their own hands and has done comparatively better. Same with Japan.

If you're scared of a virus on par with the flu, please feel free to lock yourself in your residence and never go outside ever again. Meanwhile, people who follow the actual science, not media scare stories, will be free to live their lives

Nice to know there's a handful of people on this forum with some perspective. The irony of the situation hasn't escaped me either.

Definitely back in my country.

Easier to take day off or childcare leave.

Better health care.

Better financial support during the pandemic.

Not trusting J-Gov. numbers, testing, etc.

Are we eally afraid of this virus that we need to feel "safe" by being someplace in the world rather than in another. I feel safer here than my home country because of the low crime rates and economic and political stability, alas precisely Covid-19 has rattled things up even in those areas, but that is just worldwide.

Against a virus I feel safer not by the country or goverment, but by the actions and precautions I take. Specially my health.

Seeing as the entire world is affected, take your pick. Like the craps tables in Vegas.

If I were Australian, I would say safer in Australia. If i were American I would say safer here.

I definitely feel safer here then when I lived overseas for work.

In some countries they don't wear mask everywhere, some people don't take the necessary precautions which in Japan it's always been there even for the basic flu.

We have the oldest population on Earth, many in their 80s,90s even 100. If people were not careful our Death rate should be triple by now. Similar to USA numbers or half base on population numbers and location from the source which Japan is next door.

New Zealand, Taiwan or South Korea. Anywhere, where the safety of people is a priority.

Any country that is truly putting the health of its people first and not, say, the Olympics or increasing the number of  ̶s̶l̶a̶v̶e̶s̶ trainees from poorer countries. Any country which is making testing widely available and cheap or free. Any country which is not so cruel as to ban permanent residents from returning and put foreign businessmen with absolutely no ties to the country on top. Any country which is not lying to its people, and minimizing testing to mask the true numbers. Any country which has the guts to enforce a real lockdown instead of urging, requesting, asking and all that BS.