SHIZUOKA -- Amid the shortage of surgical masks due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, it has been learned that Shizuoka prefectural assembly member Hiroyuki Morota has posted a large number of masks on an internet auction site and sold them to the highest bidder. "It is not resale but just a listing of the stock. I don't think it's a problem," Morota said in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun.
According to Morota, he listed masks more than 40 times in online auctions, in 2,000 pieces-sets, starting in mid-February. They were said to be sold for around 100,000 yen per transaction. However, he took down all masks exhibited on the site on Friday, saying, "There are various opinions [regarding the listing of the masks]."
Morota, who previously ran a trading company, reportedly had a large stock of masks purchased several years ago. "The prices were decided by the market, but I am sorry to those who felt uncomfortable," Morota said.
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