The government decided to revise an ordinance related to the Law on Emergency Measures for Stabilizing Living Conditions of the Public to ban the resale of masks, which have been in short supply amid the spread of the new coronavirus, at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. If any individual or company resells masks purchased at retail stores or in other ways at a price higher than the purchase price, the seller will be in violation of the law and face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen.
The new rules will take effect on Sunday, but will not cover ordinary business transactions between manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and others.
The law was enacted at the time of the oil crisis in 1973. To deal with soaring prices and economic problems, the government will be allowed to designate goods that are indispensable for daily life and restrict trade in them.
In Japan, drugstores and other retailers are suffering from a shortage of supplies. A store in Tokyo that sold out of the masks on Tuesday posted a notice saying, "We don't know when they will arrive."
About 60% of masks distributed in Japan are imported from China, according to the Japan Hygiene Products Industry Association. Although manufacturers have increased production, they cannot import sufficient quantities due to logistical difficulties in China. An official of the association said, "The distribution is gradually improving and we want to eliminate the shortage by the end of March."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
