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Yes, and regularly, and so do millions of other Tokyo residents. Cases here are up to ~200 daily new cases with (AFAIK) zero linked to public transit (and this is weeks after our quasi-lockdown ended). If public transit/trains were by definition a significant risk factor Tokyo's situation would look a _lot_ different.

Now maybe a train stuffed with non-mask wearing people talking constantly would be a different issue.

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In some podcast someone mentioned that in (some) asian countries it feels like air conditioning in public transport is build to ensure quick and regular air exchange. And it would absolutely make sense, as they are way more used to these sort of problems than "the west". And also have generally higher population density. Might this also be true for Tokyo?

Do you have any insight as to how that's possible? Not disputing the fact, but those trains are packed super tight. It seems like ideal situation for spreading. Are the only safeguards mask usage?

The biggest safeguard in Japan is civic compliance. Pretty much 100% of people with symptoms or who suspect they had contact, self-isolate. At low daily case rates, that's enough. If the rates spike, then they'll have to set restrictions again.

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