ABSTRACT
Over the past three decades, Japan has faced multiple public health crises. This chapter examines the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the formulation of Japan’s responses to the SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 public health crises. During these crises, the WHO was used as a neutral and scientific source of information and thus managed to influence Japan’s responses. However, trust in the organization has faltered due to its connection with China. Japanese policymakers have questioned the neutrality of the organization. This chapter shows that the importance of the WHO in Japanese policymaking has declined and will continue to do so as long as the organization’s neutrality is doubted, and as long as its advice and guidelines conflict with Japan’s domestic agenda.
