Package deal, Japan’s vaccine-testing experiment underway

In October the Japanese government began experimenting with a so-called “vaccine-testing package,” in its efforts to strike a balance between preventing further spread of the novel coronavirus with a return to daily-life norms as infections in Japan decline.

With over 170 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine delivered and the number of daily new cases of the novel coronavirus continuing to decline, authorities in the country are eyeing a new phase in the “with corona" era through potential implementation of the vaccine-testing package. 

By checking vaccination records and the results of tests for the virus authorities are aiming to avoid in future the need for sweeping restrictions should there be another wave of infections, according to reports.

Experiments are being conducted at large-scale sporting events and music concerts, as well as at bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues across 13 participating prefectures, with the aim to see if and how the package can be delivered smoothly. 

Procedures for responding to infections found following an event -- reported to include keeping a log of all event goers -- will also be verified during the experiments.

(Passing through Tokyo's Shimbashi district, home to an entertainment area popular with large numbers of office workers.  Photo taken Oct. 13. 2021)

Events targeted include matches of the Nippon Professional Baseball league and J League soccer, as well as a concert from rockers LʼArc〜en〜Ciel -- a stop on the band’s ”30th LʼAnniversary TOUR.”

“By introducing what is being called a “vaccine-testing package,” we will strive to balance efforts to prevent the spread of infection with daily life or economic and social activities,” the then economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters at a press conference on September 24. 

“We can only implement this when the vaccination rate is at a certain level. There are people who want the vaccine but who haven’t been able to receive it, and we still have to prepare the system for carrying out testing, so for the time being it's better to start with the experiment,” said Nishimura.

Information regarding the package can be found, in Japanese, on a special webpage of the Cabinet Secretariat. 

The page details some of the finer points regarding implementation of the package including that facilities where the vaccine-testing package is being implemented will be subject to a relaxation of virus restrictions.

An example is provided -- at those facilities that are utilizing the vaccine-testing package and that have been issued certification by local governments recognizing virus prevention measures, alcoholic beverages are allowed to be served until 21:00. Restaurants will be allowed to welcome diners in parties of five or more people.

In regards to the testing -- negative results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours, or an antigen quantitative test taken within 24 hours, of desired entry to a facility look to be among the requirements of the package.  

How the authorities might offer support to the public in getting tested is not clear, although it is stated that, in principle, public funds will not be made available to cover the cost of an individual getting tested.

Some feel that the vaccine-testing package alone, however, may fall short in helping business owners most affected by virus restrictions return to something like business as usual.

Tokyo restaurant owner Akihiko Endo recently re-opened his Nakano store for the first time since May this year, following the lifting of the latest virus emergency on Oct. 1.

“If they say that we have to strictly check the customer's vaccine record or test result in order to continue doing business or receive support, then we’ll have no choice but to do it,” Endo told City-Cost. 

“The relationship of trust we have with our customers is really important though, so actually doing these checks is something I’d rather not have to do.”

Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in order to get by Endo said he began borrowing more money than he did when he initially established his restaurant. Even with the financial support from the metropolitan government given to restaurant owners adhering to virus restrictions, Endo was still left significantly short of the budget needed to keep the restaurant open, leaving him with little choice but to close.

With his restaurant, Nakano Sakaue “EN,” now back in business but with only enough resources to offer a lunch service, Endo would like to see the government do more than experiment with a vaccine-testing package in order to help businesses like his.

“What I would like is for the government to help with loan repayments. It’s tough to have to repay loans while being unable to open my business,” he said.

Experimentation with the package is also being extended to the domestic tourism industry. Earlier in October the Japan Tourism Agency announced that 38 tours conducted by 11 travel agencies had been selected as targets. 

“During tours and at accommodation facilities run by participating travel agencies, operations will be carried out to confirm vaccination history and verify testing, among other measures, and questionnaires will be conducted targeting businesses and travelers,” Japan Tourism Agency.

Yomiuri Travel Service is among the participating agencies. The travel service provided details in a press release about the required timing of a traveler's second vaccination in order to be able to make use of their travel offers under the vaccine-testing package. 

According to the service, tour participants must have received their second dose of the vaccination at least 14 days prior to the date of departure. If, for example, the departure date is the 20th, the date of receiving a second dose of the vaccine should have been no later than the 6th. (In the case of the vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca the requirement is 15 days, according to Yomiuri Travel Service.)

In terms of proof of vaccination it looks like three kinds might be accepted under the package -- the yobou sesshu sumi-shou (予防接種済証) - the certification which comes as part of the so-called “vaccine coupon” issued by local governments, a sesshu kiroku-sho (接種記録書) - the form issued to those who may have been vaccinated through their employer, and the so-called “vaccine passports” that can be applied for at local city offices. 

​​Based on the results of the experiment, together with consultation with experts, the government plans to hold discussions with local governments and businesses toward the construction of an effective and concrete framework for the implementation of the vaccine-testing package. 

Authorities may also need to keep an eye on similar initiatives developed by the private sector. 

Earlier in October developers Medical Check Propulsion Mechanism and ICheck Co. announced the arrival of their “Wakupasu” (ワクパス), an application through which users can register their vaccination status and obtain a digitized vaccination certificate.

Though the certificate is issued by the private sector, holders will be able to receive benefits at collaborating companies that include the APA hotel chain and travel agency HIS.  

The developers hope Wakupasu can encourage others to get vaccinated without causing inconvenience to those people who haven’t.

While the introduction of the vaccine-testing package might spark hopes that a return to something resembling social and economic norms is possible, the government continues to urge people in Japan to remain vigilant against further spread of the virus, including through the wearing of face masks and avoidance of the 3Cs. 

Japan has seen a rapid decline in new daily cases of the novel coronavirus in recent weeks. On Oct. 11, Tokyo reported 49 new cases, the lowest number in 16 months, down from its highest number of cases, 5,773, on Aug. 13.