Differences in strong unified national response, vs not: In Japan, everyone listened to the government. If they say wear a mask, everyone wears a mask. If they say engage in social distancing, everyone engages in social distancing. In South Korea, too - enables effective response.

In the US or Italy, there's much more individualism, irrespective of liking government. In Italy, mayors are pleading and shouting obscenities at citizens because they're not listening. Authority doesn't matter. In France, too. Contrast in Germany, strong support for the German government; in Western countries, one of the best response functions we've seen.