Yes, here is chalked up to the following factors.
One… Almost universal masking in public spaces, particularly in crowded spaces without any mandatory dictates (now being phased out)
Two….extremely high mRNA vaccination rate somewhere in the vicinity of 80-90% (rather astounding for a traditionally, lukewarm foreign vaccine oriented, insular population rejecting of such vaccines for many years and struct import safety restrictions on any kind of foreign medicines in favor of domestically produced brands
Three….Considerable social distancing mandated in churches, meetings, political events, sporting events, and the like followed up by contract tracing
Four… Completely high standard medical infrastructure with the highest possible medical care in a sanitary environment, including access to nearly all Japanese. Extremely high public adherence to sanitation, such as covered sneezing, handkerchief carrying, incessant handwashing. No handshaking. Quiet voices in trains (if any), on elevators, etc keeping respiratorisl aerosols down.
Five….High level of education on Covid-19 incessantly on TV, radio, talk shows, by sports personnel, stars, commentators and the like minus any politicization of masks (only a very small anti mask fringe section perhaps 1-2% of the population)
Six….Extremely low obesity/diabetes, etc rate, which also helped contribute to the low death rate
Seven…Strict quarantine if infected.
All the while with a considerably conservative right wing party (LDP) in control pro US and fairly anti-CCP. (And buy into anti-Covid medication by nearly all political parties.). A few more factors as well.
Hilarious-I noticed island which is number one is missing?
Masks are 0-58 in studies of respiratory viruses. They were 0-26 pre covid but insisted upon anyway.
It is akin to using a chain link fence to stop dimes.
They spread virus via constant adjusting, they create a false sense of security AND they create worse infection as once it is in the mask it just gets inhaled over and over again. All one needs here are some masks and some spray paint.
a vax that doesn’t stop acquisition or spread is hardly going to have much of an effect.
4)Do you know where Japan stands as far as annual contribution to new medical: devices, drugs and procedures?
A hint US is at 40% plus, it is 5% of every US medical bill. Japan is not quite at UK, CAN, AUS etc.... 0% but it is getting there.
5)is propaganda that likely did as much harm as good.
6)is offset by the aged population
We’re left with island, social distancing and strict lockdown if infected. Hooray that is close to minimal response globally that produced similar results.
BTW the mask compliance in the United States was several deviations away from expected. The world knew Asia is accustomed to and would comply. The question was will Americans comply? Sadly the answer was YES, the nation of once rugged individualists has turned into cowardly sheep.