in mid-august, japan was recording over 20,000 daily coronavirus cases, its highest levels during the pandemic. on wednesday, it reported just 310 nationwide.  about 70 percent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, the government announced wednesday, and life in the country has returned to a state of cautious optimism and near normalcy from one of acute concern. tokyo has lifted nearly all restrictions on daily life, and the subways, streets and shopping arcades are once again filled with people. the city has reported fewer than 50 daily cases for over a week.  experts in japan are unclear about what caused the precipitous drop in cases, although they agree that high vaccination levels and ubiquitous masking are probably the most important factors keeping the virus at bay.  in remarks to reporters on wednesday, government experts said other factors, such as cooler weather, an effective testing regime and heightened caution during the recent surge in cases, may have also contributed to the sudden drop in cases.
daily coronavirus cases in japan fall to the hundreds after a summer peak.