Investigating Japanese Government Actions During the Pandemic and the Implications of The Nudge Theory.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world, face masks and vaccinations are almost necessary daily. More specifically, the country of Japan has maintained a remarkably high rate throughout the pandemic. Furthermore, the Japanese government was able to implement very effective policies. We review papers that collect data on circumstances Japan faced during the pandemic, compile statistics on mask usage and vaccination rates from other countries and take a quantitative approach to this question. We then conclude whether Japan had used the nudge theory to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide some suggestions for future policies. Although we cannot fully assert that the Japanese government had intentionally used the nudge theory, due to the remarkable success they had, we concluded that the nudge theory did in fact play a major role in mitigating the effects of the pandemic in Japan. Viewing the COVID-19 situation based on the nudge theory, which is an extent from behavioral economics, is something that not many papers have investigated. Behavioral economics is crucial when it comes to our day-to-day lives. Incorporating this into recent catastrophes, such as the earthquake that hit Japan at the start of 2024, or the recession caused by lockdowns and restrictions from the pandemic, enables us to view them in different ways. For example, we can focus on how people react and behave to these phenomena and analyze them to understand human nature better. We can further prepare for upcoming pandemics by effectively implementing them in policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]