Japan's COVID App Launched Late... Difficult to Search and Install, Flooded with Inquiries

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The application 'COCOA,' which notifies users in Japan if they have come into contact with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), was launched belatedly, but there are criticisms that installing the app is not easy, causing difficulties for the authorities.

According to NHK on the 19th, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that the app to confirm contact with COVID-19 patients was launched that day, and explained that by typing 'contact confirmation app' in the app store or Play Store, users can download COCOA.

However, it has been reported that when trying directly, the app cannot be found in the Play Store.

When entering 'contact confirmation app' as a search term, a Japanese message appears stating, "There is no contact tracing app recommended by local governments or national agencies in the current residential area."

When searching with the keyword 'COCOA,' unrelated apps appear instead.

Regarding this, NHK reported that multiple inquiries have been received about not being able to download the app due to search issues, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is investigating the situation.

On the internet, QR codes directing users to the Apple Store to download the contact confirmation app have been posted, but there is no information yet guiding users to the Google Store.

The Japanese government originally planned to launch and operate the app in May. However, the release was delayed by more than a month because the government changed the plan, refusing to entrust it to a small organization midway.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.