The government said Friday it will lift a ban on reselling face masks and disinfectants because suppliers have ramped up production enough to resolve nationwide shortages spurred by the coronavirus.
Punishable by up to a year in prison, a ¥1 million ($9,500) fine or both, the ban was imposed to deter scalpers. It is expected to be lifted this month, although the exact timing isn't immediately clear.
The government is also scrapping its plan to deliver an additional 80 million reusable cloth masks to nursing homes and other high-risk facilities, health minister Katsunobu Kato said, amid criticism the "Abenomask" initiative has been a waste of taxpayers' money.