"Buy it with Abe's money"... Japanese citizens angry over 80 million remaining 'Abenomask' units

Last Year’s Storage Cost for 'Abenomask' Approximately 6.2 Billion Won... Over 3 Billion Won Expected to Be Spent This Year as Well

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is entering the official residence wearing the 'Abenomask' on May 14 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Controversy has erupted as the Japanese government announced plans to redistribute about 82 million cloth masks, known as "Abenomask" (Abe + mask), which former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe distributed to the entire population last year, to local governments and those who wish to receive them. As additional tax spending is expected for the mask redistribution, Japanese citizens have protested, saying, "Make former Prime Minister Abe purchase the masks."

On the 15th, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated at a regular press conference that the stock of "Abenomasks" remaining from when former Prime Minister Abe distributed them to the public for COVID-19 prevention during his tenure last year will be distributed to local governments or those who want them.

Previously, the "Abenomask" was a cloth mask distributed by the Japanese government in April last year, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, to address unstable mask supply issues, with a total budget of 49.7 billion yen (about 512 billion KRW). Former Prime Minister Abe announced that two masks would be distributed equally to every household nationwide. However, due to repeated defects such as small size or foreign substances resembling insects appearing, Japanese citizens ignored them, and eventually over 80 million masks accumulated as stock.

The Japanese government attempted to distribute them to welfare facilities, but faced difficulties in disposal due to lack of demand on-site. Last year alone, 600 million yen (about 6.26 billion KRW) was spent on storing the "Abenomasks," and at least 300 million yen is expected to be spent this year as well.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida responded to questions about the "Abenomask" on the 14th, saying, "We must accept points for reflection," and stated that they will consider ways to utilize the costly stored Abenomasks.

As the Japanese government's plan to redistribute the Abenomasks became known, Japanese citizens have expressed opposition. Comments on internet articles reporting Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno's remarks included strong criticism of former Prime Minister Abe, such as "Make former Prime Minister Abe purchase them," and "We cannot accept spending taxes again for additional distribution."

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