This conference proceeding offers suggestions for rebuilding government’s credibility if lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government credibility and public emergencies influence each other. Government can gain credibility if it handles emergencies effectively, and government can also be a barrier to effectively handing emergencies in the public eye. During the COVID-19 outbreak, some local governments lost credibility because of inadequately judging the crisis, staff members not adhering to requirements, and not disseminating information in a timely manner. Therefore, to rebuild the credibility of the government, it is important to establish an efficient and sensitive crisis warning system, increase the sense of responsibility of government staff, and strengthen communication with the public. Information disclosure, in particular, helps the public understand facts about the pandemic and allows them to see positive actions of local government.