Amid COVID-19 Turmoil, Japan Begins Stockpiling Daily Necessities

Tokyo Governor's Request to Refrain from Going Out Sparks Panic Buying of Daily Necessities in Japan

A display shelf in a store in Tokyo, Japan is empty.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] In Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a panic buying phenomenon of essential goods such as groceries is occurring due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 26th, Japanese media reported that supermarket shelves in Tokyo city were emptied due to citizens' panic buying. According to the reports, this panic buying phenomenon started after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged citizens to refrain from going out on weekends following an increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases the previous day.

The Japanese government stated that the shortage is temporary and there is no significant problem with the supply of essential goods.

Government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said regarding the panic buying, "In some stores within Tokyo, many customers purchased products, causing shortages of groceries and other items," adding, "The government will identify the causes of shortages for each product and respond promptly. We also ask the public to respond calmly based on accurate information."

Meanwhile, on the 26th, the Japanese government announced that it will establish a "Government Task Force" based on the Special Measures Law due to the rapid increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tokyo.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.