Olivia Sergent is a Japanese major who has been studying at the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Japan since September as a part of Ohio State’s exchange program. The Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures asked her to write about her experiences in Japan during the coronavirus outbreak.

I consider myself lucky to be here in the midst of all the mayhem surrounding the coronavirus.

Despite the fact that it’s in such close proximity to China and South Korea, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan has stayed comparatively low. Japanese and U.S. news outlets alike are unsure why this is the case, but regardless, restrictive measures haven’t been anywhere near as severe here than in other countries. Events and performances have been canceled and schools below collegiate level were closed at the end of February.

Restaurants, however, remain open, public transportation is full and concerns over the virus haven’t done much to inhibit the general public from gathering at parks to view the cherry blossoms.

I would categorize the atmosphere as justifiably cautious, but without panic.

Personally, my day-to-day life hasn’t changed all that much, besides being forced to reschedule my visit to Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation film studio. My university has been on spring break since the start of February as it is, and I was able to fly into and out of Korea for a brief trip that same month without any issue. When my mother came to visit at the start of March, we used public transportation, went to restaurants and wandered around crowded shopping streets. It’s been over two weeks since she returned to the States and neither she nor I have been ill. (We did however keep ourselves restricted to our homes for an appropriate period afterwards just in case.) Even now I go out once or twice a week just to the grocery or bookstore and there are always people going about their days as if nothing were amiss.

The largest shift has only occurred in the past few weeks. My father’s plans to visit me in Japan were canceled, but that was due to restrictions on the U.S. side, not Japan’s. Also, the start of spring term at my university has been postponed until April 27th. But beyond that, the school has had minimal communication with us, and as far I can tell intends to proceed normally.

Some of my peers from OSU who have been attending other Japanese universities have had different experiences, however. One school cancelled its international program altogether and sent my friend and all of the other exchange students home. Another friend was forced home by her scholarship provider while another is taking their spring semester courses online, though that school is allowing her to stay in-country.

Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs has made it clear that they wish us to return, but has left the ultimate decision to us, which I am grateful for. With the climate as it is now, I feel more comfortable in Japan.

Even if there are significantly more cases than have been detected, the lack of public hysteria helps calm personal anxieties. What’s more, I turned 26 in January and consequently aged-out of my parent’s medical insurance. But Japan has national health insurance, which you are required to enroll in even if you’re an exchange student staying for only one year. As a result, I am currently better insured a foreign nation than my home country. Hopefully we’ll pass the peak in the next few weeks, I’ll be able to finish out my time at the University of Tsukuba and return home in August as planned.

Stay healthy everyone.