Consideration about the society after the COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Risk Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted societal structures and safety management paradigms.
• Extended coexistence with COVID-19 has challenged the feasibility of achieving zero-risk environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review three key viewpoints on societal changes and safety management post-COVID-19 in Japan.
• To analyze the shift from a zero-risk approach to risk-based safety management.
• To examine evolving work models and personnel evaluation systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of societal viewpoints on safety management.
• Analysis of the impact of remote work adoption.
• Examination of the Japanese societal system's response to the pandemic.

Main Results:

• Japanese society is moving towards accepting certain risks to maintain social activities, adopting risk-based safety management.
• A hybrid work model integrating remote and conventional methods is emerging, with a shift towards job-based personnel evaluations.
• The limitations of groupism-based management and societal systems were exposed, highlighting the need for systemic improvements.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of safety management, moving from zero-risk ideals to practical risk assessment.
• Workplace dynamics are transforming, requiring adaptable management and evaluation strategies.
• Systemic reforms are crucial for Japan to address pandemic-related vulnerabilities and enhance future resilience.