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Japanese government to implement a Coronavirus tracing app

The contact-tracing app will alert a user if they have been in close proximity of someone diagnosed with Covid-19

Emma Steen
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Emma Steen
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In order to help the nation return to normal life, the Japanese government is working to launch an app that would alert individuals who have come in close contact with those diagnosed with the Covid-19 coronavirus. The initiative comes after Prime Minister Abe declared a nationwide state of emergency on April 16. The first declaration, which came into effect on April 7 and only involved seven prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka, was deemed inadequate. 

According to The Japan Time, the contact-tracing app would function similarly to the one developed by the Singaporean government, where Bluetooth technology would alert users if they're in close proximity of those who have been diagnosed with the virus. This way, users will know whether to get tested before symptoms arise and take appropriate measures to protect others around them.

The app will operate by exchanging encrypted codes between phones but will not reveal any personal information including names, addresses or phone numbers. It will also not reveal to users when and where they have come in close proximity of an infected individual. 

In the Japan Times report, information technology policy minister Naokazu Takemoto was quoted to say that the system is 'an extremely effective way to prevent the spread of the disease'. The app, however, does raise some data privacy concerns. So, to avoid misuse, only public officials would be allowed to release a user's diagnosis information. Furthermore, as a safety precaution, encrypted record will not track the geolocation of app users. 

The app, which is being developed by Code for Japan, is aiming for a May release. It will not be a mandatory download, but the government is confident that the app will be a game changer in helping to protect citizens and lower the number of coronavirus cases in the country. 

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