‘I was anxious at first’: how Covid helped vaccine-sceptic Japan overcome its hesitancy

Japan ranks among the most Covid-immunised countries, but only months ago the story was very different

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Early this year, as Japan's coronavirus cases began another ominous rise, the country seemed determined to confirm its reputation as a vaccine backwater.

Held up by additional clinical trials, its Covid-19 vaccine rollout lagged behind that of the UK and other countries by several months. And when it finally started offering shots in February, doses were administered at an achingly slow pace, beginning with medical staff and older people. Tens of millions of others were convinced they would have to wait many months before coming within arm's reach of a health worker's needle.