Politician apologizes for auctioning off masks

Mar 10, 2020 | News On Japan

Mar 10, 2020 (NHK) - A local politician in Japan has apologized for selling thousands of face masks via online auctions at a time when they are in short supply due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Hiroyuki Morota, a member of the Shizuoka prefectural assembly, offered the apology at a news conference on Monday.

Morota said he put boxes of 2,000 masks up for auction some 89 times from February 4 to March 6, and made a total of 8.9 million yen, or about 87,000 dollars.

He said the masks came from the inventory of a trading firm he runs. He also said he did not make an improper profit from the sale of masks, which he imported from China several years ago.

But he said he lacked consideration as a politician to put them up for auction during the coronavirus outbreak.

He said he intends to continue his career as an assembly member.

Morota told reporters that his wife will take over for him as the head of the trading firm. He said he will donate the money earned from the auction.

Morota used the Yahoo! JAPAN auction site. The firm says it will ban mask auctions starting on Saturday.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Okinawa Braces for Typhoon No. 24

Typhoon No. 24 remained nearly stationary south of Japan on September 2 but is forecast to move north toward Okinawa, bringing the risk of sudden heavy rain and stronger winds from the afternoon while waves are expected to rise steadily as the storm lingers nearby. As of 6 a.m. on September 2, the typhoon was located south of Japan and was expected to approach Okinawa while passing to the east of the main island.

Japan to Conduct First Nationwide Survey of Animal Cafes

Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.

Haneda Tightens Baggage Deadline

Haneda Airport introduced two major changes on September 2, opening a new boarding facility at Terminal 1 while moving the checked-baggage deadline for all domestic flights to 30 minutes before departure.

USJ Eyes First-Ever Park Expansion

Universal Studios Japan is considering its first expansion since opening in 2001, with plans to use about 60,000 square meters of former Nippon Steel factory land adjacent to the park and potentially increase its total area by roughly 10%.

Japan Cuts Speed Limit on Residential Roads to 30 km/h

Japan will lower the statutory speed limit on certain residential roads from 60 kilometers per hour to 30 km/h from September 1, with police in Hyogo Prefecture urging drivers to familiarize themselves with the new rules and drive more carefully in neighborhood areas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Fire Near Ise Jingu Extinguished After 44 Hours, 58 Buildings Damaged

A large fire that swept through a shopping district near Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture was extinguished at 11 a.m. on September 2, about 44 hours after it broke out, after damaging 58 buildings across an area of approximately 4,300 square meters.

American Arrested Over Suspected Arson at Okinawa Hotel

Okinawa police have arrested a 32-year-old U.S. citizen on suspicion of setting fire to a lodging facility in Chatan and attempting to kill 18 guests who were staying inside, following a blaze that left one man seriously injured on August 15.

Former School Principal Arrested Over Alleged Indecent Acts

Chiba Prefectural Police have arrested a 71-year-old former junior high school principal on suspicion of committing indecent acts against an elementary school girl at a welfare support facility in Yachimata, Chiba Prefecture, in May.

About 200 Dolphins Captured as Taiji Hunting Season Begins

The traditional whale and dolphin drive hunt in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, opened for the season on September 1, with fishermen capturing about 200 bottlenose dolphins during the first hunt.

Japan's Police Officer Shortage Deepens

Police forces across Japan are struggling to recruit enough officers, with the number of people taking police recruitment examinations falling to less than half the level of a decade ago and concerns growing that persistent staffing shortages could eventually affect public safety.

Fire Breaks Out Near Ise Jingu

A fire broke out at a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 31, sending red flames and thick black smoke into the air as firefighters continued battling the blaze with no immediate prospect of bringing it under control.

One in Three Unmarried Young People Plan to Stay Single

About one in three unmarried young people in Japan say they have no intention of marrying, according to the first large-scale survey of young people conducted by the Children and Families Agency, with financial insecurity emerging as the biggest perceived obstacle to marriage.

Eleven Passengers Trapped in Legoland

Eleven passengers were rescued from an attraction at Legoland Japan in Nagoya on August 30 after a door failed to open, leaving them trapped for about 30 minutes, with no injuries or reports of illness.

< 2 3 4 5 >