Summary of Research Findings

Questionnaire was conducted in July 2020 to Japanese business people (expats) at local subsidiaries of Japanese companies in four Asian countries (China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam), to ask their forecast on end period of COVID-19 infections and how it affects sales performance throughout the year based on the forecasted end period of COVID-19. Those who assume COVID-19 infection to be contained by the end of June expect 10% drop in sales throughout the year compared to their business plan. Result shows that longer the spread of virus continues, higher the rate of downturn; those who forecasts the end period of COVID-19 after January 2021 expects sales performance to decline by 34% compared to the plan.
On the other hand, some business people think they can achieve more than 100% of the sales plan even the coronavirus calamity continues: Of people that forecasted end period of COVID-19 by the end of June, 25.3% (14 people) projects to attain more than 100% of the plan; between July-end of September, 7.9% (3 people); between October-end of December, 4.3% (3 people); and after January 2021, 2.5% (3 people). 

Noteworthy Topics

Impact of the Novel Coronavirus for each Country

Viewing the influence of COVID-19 infections by country, China is fastest in recovery, which owes to success of thorough travel restrictions and lockdown by government’s top-down approach. In ASEAN countries, Vietnam also succeeded in subdue infections early by quick governmental countermeasures, followed by Thailand. 
Meanwhile, infection control policy in Indonesia prioritized sustainment of economic activities. As a result of taking COVID-19 infection countermeasures that are not legally binding, end period of pandemic is still uncertain and the country is slowest in recovery of the four countries. 
Survey result shows that every local subsidiary of Japanese companies in four countries have been affected by COVID-19 infections, losing domestic demand and foreign demand at once due to lockdown and downturn in local economic activities, decline in orders from local companies, stagnation in production due to suspension of international supply chain, and loss of foreign demand owing to limitations in economic activities at demanders’ market.

Research Outline