Researchers release landmark dataset tracking Japan's social psychology through the COVID-19 pandemic

Osaka, Japan - Researchers from Japan have unveiled a comprehensive dataset detailing the psychological and social responses of Japanese adults to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spanning 30 survey waves from January 2020 to March 2024, the open dataset captures how Japanese adults’ risk perception, preventive behaviors, policy attitudes, views toward foreigners, and psychological distress evolved over more than four years of uncertainty. Published as a data paper in Data in Brief, this resource is now openly accessible to the global community.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered drastic shifts in daily life, public health measures, and social interactions worldwide. Understanding how people’s minds and behaviors evolved is crucial for preparing for future crises. However, few studies have continuously tracked these changes over such a long period, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the pandemic’s sustained societal impact.

From January 2020 to March 2024, the research team conducted a 30-wave panel survey, repeatedly surveying the same Japanese adults. The project recruited Japanese adults through a nationwide online platform, beginning with 1,248 participants and adding 600 more in Wave 13 to mitigate attrition. This method captured real-time changes in risk perception, infection-prevention behaviors, mental health, and attitudes toward public policies and foreigners. All anonymized item-level data, a detailed bilingual codebook, and full questionnaires are openly available Open Science Framework.

This unprecedented dataset serves as a vital research infrastructure. It allows researchers, practitioners, and educators worldwide to conduct re-analysis, compare findings with other countries, and deepen our understanding of social dynamics during a global health crisis. Insights from this data can inform evidence-based policymaking for future pandemics and contribute to building more resilient societies.

“We continued this survey with the determination to capture people’s shifting psychological states as the situation evolved,” states lead author Professor Asako Miura, The University of Osaka. “Looking back, it became far more valuable than we imagined. By making this long-term data open, we truly hope this dataset will benefit a wide range of research and spark meaningful dialogue.”

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The article, “Dataset of social psychology in Japan during COVID-19: a 30-wave panel (January 2020–March 2024),” was published in Data in Brief at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2025.112279

About The University of Osaka

The University of Osaka was founded in 1931 as one of the seven imperial universities of Japan and is now one of Japan's leading comprehensive universities with a broad disciplinary spectrum. This strength is coupled with a singular drive for innovation that extends throughout the scientific process, from fundamental research to the creation of applied technology with positive economic impacts. Its commitment to innovation has been recognized in Japan and around the world. Now, The University of Osaka is leveraging its role as a Designated National University Corporation selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation.

Website: https://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/en