Photo/Illutration A sign at a drugstore in Saitama says, “We are sorry, but we do not have masks to sell today.” (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The central government decided to distribute about 2.5 million face masks from its stockpile to the private sector to address severe shortages caused largely by panic-buying amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The policy was reported to a directors meeting of the Upper House Budget Committee on March 11.

The continued hoarding of face masks across Japan has led to persistent shortages. Hospitals and other medical institutions have expressed concerns that they will not have enough masks for their staff members.

The government said it had 7,431,300 masks in its possession as of March 2, but a further count put the number at 6,417,500 as of March 6.

It said it will be able to distribute 2,501,000 of those masks to the private sector, although it was unclear when the delivery process would start.

At a Cabinet meeting on March 10, the government decided to revise an ordinance for the law on emergency measures for stabilizing living conditions of the public to prohibit resales of masks online for profits from March 15.

The ban covers mask resales on auction and flea market sites to “many and unspecified persons” at prices higher than those for the initial purchases at drugstores, supermarkets and elsewhere.

Violators face a maximum one-year prison term or a fine of up to 1 million yen ($9,600).