Photo/Illutration Cup noodles were selling out quickly at a supermarket in Chiba’s Chuo Ward on March 26. (Yuta Ogi)

With empty store shelves fast becoming the norm, the government issued a plea to the public to stop panic buying and hoarding and to shop as normal, saying the nation has sufficient stocks of food.

Buyers have stripped store shelves at supermarkets in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures of items such as cup noodles and bottled water out of a fear that supplies will run out due to the scare over the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The food supply system is stable, just like usual," farm minister Taku Eto told a task force meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to discuss the epidemic on March 26. "A sufficient quantity of stock has been secured, so there is no need for the public to rush out and buy up everything.”

A supermarket in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward was so crowded with customers March 26 that entry was temporarily restricted with more than 10 people forming a line outside.

A 66-year-old man who bought green onions and fresh meat said he managed to purchase everything he needed but had to wait 20 minutes or so before he could enter the store.

"I didn’t expect that at all,” he said, adding that small retail stores near his home had nearly sold out of fresh foods and vegetables.

He ended up visiting the supermarket after stopping by two small retail stores near his home.

Items such as foods with long expiry dates sold out fast at supermarkets operated by retail giant Aeon Co. in areas around Tokyo.

“The situation is like what happens before a large-scale typhoon approaches," said a company representative.

The official indicated the company had anticipated the possibility of panic-buying and had purchased more supplies than usual.

A day before Eto met with task force members, the ministry on March 25 requested the Japan Chain Stores Association as well as wholesale suppliers of rice and other items to ensure a smooth supply of foods stocks.

According to the ministry, the nation has sufficient stocks of rice to last for 6.2 months and wheat from overseas for 2.3 months.

 (This article was written by Shimpei Doi, Hirobumi Ohinata and Chiaki Ogihara.)

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