COVID-19 Confirmed Tokyo Prosecutor's Office Official Travels 1000km by Express Bus

Citizens of Tokyo, Japan, are walking along the busy streets of Harajuku. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] A public official belonging to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Japan has sparked controversy after traveling over 1000 km by express bus following the diagnosis.

According to Kyodo News and NHK, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office announced on the 26th that a male prosecutor's clerk in his 20s infected with COVID-19 illegally took an express bus to Fukuoka City in northern Kyushu during his home quarantine period. Tokyo and Fukuoka are more than 1000 km apart by road.

The official was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 on the 17th. He was supposed to remain at his home in Tokyo until the 27th, but when another Tokyo prosecutor's office employee contacted him the day before, it was revealed that he was staying in Fukuoka City.

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office contacted the express bus company and the health center and stated that they are investigating the purpose of the travel and other details.

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office expressed deep apologies for the extremely inappropriate behavior and stated, "We will investigate the facts and respond appropriately, including providing information to relevant agencies."

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