Olympic Recoveries

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Economics
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented global disruption, leading to the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• The crisis, referred to as the "Corona Calamity" (korona ka) in Japan, presents a complex disaster with far-reaching consequences beyond the Olympic Games.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the multifaceted nature of the COVID-19 crisis in Japan.
• To explore the concept of recovery in the context of the pandemic.
• To analyze three distinct "rhythms" of crisis and recovery: national history, the tourism industry, and the parcel delivery industry.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of the intersecting crises stemming from COVID-19.
• Examination of the concept of recovery through the lens of national history.
• Case study approach focusing on the tourism and parcel delivery sectors.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 crisis extends beyond the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, affecting various societal and economic sectors.
• Recovery from the pandemic is a central theme, with questions surrounding its timing, nature, and scope.
• Distinct patterns of crisis and recovery are observed in national historical narratives, the tourism industry's challenges, and the parcel delivery industry's adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The "Corona Calamity" is a complex disaster with interconnected crises, making a holistic understanding of recovery essential.
• Analyzing recovery through different sectors like tourism and logistics provides insights into broader societal resilience.
• Understanding these diverse rhythms of crisis and recovery is crucial for navigating the post-pandemic landscape.