I live in Tokyo and I think the biggest factor is the individual sense of responsibility. From the beginning (and it gradually started far before the emergency

I live in Tokyo and I think the biggest factor is the individual sense of responsibility. From the beginning (and it gradually started far before the emergency declaration), most people and organizations recognized their role and responsibility and did whatever they could do to help. My company gave material and instructions about washing hands, gargling and improved the frequency of cleaning in february, and then switched to remove-working for everybody as early as march. The company managing my share house did almost the same and even increased the frequency of cleaning. Shops set up barriers in front of the cashiers. Restaurants either decided co close or switch to sake out only. Almost everybody started to wear masks since the beginning. When masks were impossible to find in shops, my company somehow achieved to deliver dozens of masks to all employees. When I got sick they also helped me by delivering furnitures and foods to my room. So many people from western countries that are always talking about freedom seems unable to do anything else than ask their government to forcefully lockdown everybody. A government is not omnipotent and cannot fix everything magically. Recognizing your role and willingly do whatever you can is the only solution. Here, the government only asks people to do things whenever it is necessary, and they do.