Historically, the control of epidemics has been closely linked to international cooperation, which has subsequently increased with globalization. The spread of infectious diseases is no longer just a threat to public health, but a global crisis, as it can paralyze the economy, the development, or the defenses of every country worldwide. However, the response structure has not adapted to this feature of modern infectious diseases. Issues with the existing structure have been exposed through COVID-19, such as lack of global solidarity, structural problems, and the lack of a coordinating mechanism for responding to the pandemic as a global crisis, none of which will improve without active commitments from member states. International solidarity is also crucial for maintaining the liberal international order that is now at risk. In addition to other middle powers such as the nations of Europe or Oceanian countries, expectations of Japan have never been higher than now. Japan should make efforts to strengthen preparedness by establishing a regional monitoring system and a cooperative system, utilizing existing frameworks such as the Tripartite Health Ministers Meeting, ASEAN+3, or the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

从历史上看，流行病的控制与国际合作密切相关，国际合作随全球化而增强。传染病的蔓延不再只是对公共卫生的威胁，而是全球性危机，因为它可能使全世界每个国家的经济，发展或防御陷入瘫痪。但是，反应结构不适应现代传染病的这一特征。COVID-19暴露了现有结构的问题，例如缺乏全球团结，结构性问题，以及缺乏应对大流行这一全球危机的协调机制，如果没有成员国的积极承诺，这些问题都不会得到改善状态。国际团结对于维持目前处于危险之中的自由国际秩序也至关重要。除了欧洲国家或大洋洲国家等其他大国之外，日本的期望从未像现在这样高。日本应努力利用三方卫生部长会议，东盟+3或自由开放的印度太平洋地区等现有框架，建立区域监测系统和合作系统，以加强备灾工作。