Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary on Distribution of Two Masks per Household: "Even a Little to Ease Anxiety"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the Japanese government announced its plan to distribute two cloth masks to every household to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), controversy over the effectiveness has arisen within Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated at the COVID-19 countermeasure meeting on the evening of the 1st that reusable cloth masks would be distributed two per household starting next week.

According to NHK Broadcasting on the 2nd, Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, said at the regular briefing that "cloth masks that can be washed and reused will be distributed two per household to all 50 million households," adding, "I heard that the price per mask is about 200 yen."

On the internet and elsewhere, criticism of the government's policy to distribute two cloth masks per household is flooding in. When asked why only two masks were allocated per household despite the average family size being 2.4 people, Secretary Suga responded, "Because masks are being provided separately for children." He also mentioned that 11 million cloth masks had already been supplied primarily to elementary and middle schools.

Secretary Suga said, "Cloth masks are not disposable; they can be used multiple times if washed with detergent, which is effective in curbing the increasing demand for masks," adding, "Although washing is inconvenient, we want to help alleviate the public's anxiety even a little." Furthermore, he emphasized, "It is important that masks reach every household," and added, "Production is still increasing, so we expect masks to be steadily stocked in stores."