The opinions expressing the most surprise are about the adaptability of the Japanese people towards the new normal.

“Compared to the strict lockdowns in Europe and America, the state of emergency announced by the Japanese government is more ambiguous. However, almost all Japanese people stayed at home, and the people in the streets thinned out. In North America, if the government is not clear on their policy, I think there will be many people who will not care and will just continue to roam the streets” (Peru, 30s, female)

“Although there is no legal basis for requesting people to stay home and practice self-restraint, seeing people work together on their own accord is amazing” (Taiwan, 30s, male)

“Even at restaurants, no one talks in loud voices, and everyone keeps their masks on except when eating” (Thailand, 40s, male)

“The Japanese refrain from going out and spend their time at home instead, I felt that it was just as expected of the country of samurai! However, for foreign visitors, the state of emergency, requests to stay home, and social distancing measureas are really difficult to understand” (Italy, 20s, female)

Even without going into a lockdown like Europe and America, everyone cooperated together several times to show self-restraint, refraining from going out for non-essential reasons. Though it can be seen that many Japanese people think, “I don’t want to spread the infection to the people around me”, many foreign visitors find this way of thinking to be new and fresh.

“At restaurants and salons, they provide masks for free. At my hometown in America, guests will not use the masks and throw them back at staff, saying 'use it yourself!' LOL” (USA, 20s, female)

“Many facilities and shops have alcohol disinfectant available everywhere. I’m surprised by the high hygiene standards of the Japanese” (Brazil, 30s, female)

“Previously in a department store, I saw the staff at a store patiently handling a customer who was not wearing a mask. Even under such circumstances, I feel that the service mindset of Japan is incredible” (France, 20s, male)

The high service standards of facilities and shops in Japan have left a deep impact on many foreign visitors previously, and even under the new normal, these standards continue to be upheld.

Takeout and delivery services have also become deeply ingrained into life under the new normal. Regarding Japan’s delivery services, there are some surprising comments.

“Delivery is good and quick! Almost none of my food items have spilled before” (Taiwan, 30s, female)

“The number of orders being left at the doorstep has increased. If it was any other country, it would be stolen. As the civic-mindedness of Japanese people is high, it’s a service that can be done here” (Venezuela, 20s, female)

Leaving food deliveries at the doorstep was implemented in view of hygiene and convenience, and it can be said to be a service that only came to be because of various forms of trustworthiness. This service of the new normal, which came about as a result of trustworthiness in the surroundings, is probably very Japanese indeed.

Though Japanese people and shops have done commendably to combat the spread of Covid-19, their working style has instead garnered voices of shock.

“Though it can be said to be a working style under the new normal, my Japanese friends still continue to turn up for work. In the UK, almost all offices are closed, and I think it’s unfortunate that Japanese people still have to go to work at their offices during the pandemic” (UK, 30s, female)

“I don’t really feel the number of people taking the train decreasing” (Korea, 40s, male)

“At my company, as we still need to get approval stamps physically, answer landlines, and settle finances, employees still work on-site. I thought that Japan was a country with advanced IT infrastructure, and I am surprised that most administrative work is still done by hand” (Vietnam, 20s, female)

Though there are some industries and roles where there is not choice but to go to work, with physical approval stamps and paper receipts staying as the base, there are many who think there is no other choice but to continue this way to maintain the upkeep of the company, but for many foreign visitors, it is unacceptable.

Though it has been a while since everyone has started living under the new normal, there are many things that still continue to surprise foreign residents in Japan. Many are still confused about the way of working and the government’s response. We can only hope that foreign residents can soon assimilate into the new normal of living too.