2．Response to COVID-19 from a Social Welfare Policy Perspective / 薬剤疫学

ABSTRACT

Novel coronavirus infection（COVID-19）is having a significant impact on diverse areas of society. We investigated the features of Japan's policies from the perspective of analogies used in social welfare policy and policy science. The results revealed that Japan's statistics do not represent reality； the government is unable to respond with world-class policies； the system is maintained through excessive workloads in the workplace； local governments adopt different directions to national policy； non-experts are confusing society； and other areas are affected due to the inability to implement concentrated investment and support. If we apply these findings to the current COVID-19 response, there are problems including statistical issues, an inability to respond with world-class policies, confusion of policy objectives and means of implementation, increased public opinion guidance that disregards human life, and the inability to adopt optimal measures due to a lack of resources, which worsened the situation and affected other areas. Therefore, it is presumed that insufficient care and compensation to individuals adversely affected by the social effects of COVID-19 would delay economic and social recovery. Accordingly, as a future response, we will present policies including establishment of a crisis management organization, accumulation of experience, and implementation of suitable statistical information to deal with infectious diseases that exceed a certain disaster level. We also recommend that preparations be implemented during normal times, rather than waiting until a crisis has occurred, and a system for finding and supporting people who have suffered due to these events should also be considered. All these issues can be resolved by politics. In other words, all of Japan's problems can be said to converge on the political arena； hence, it is predicted that the current society that excessively burdens its citizens will persist for a long time unless suitable policies are implemented through the political process.