TOKYO: Japanese electronics and machinery giant Hitachi Ltd. will start making in mid-May protective face shields for medical workers tackling the coronavirus outbreak, company officials have said.

Hitachi plans to shift to mass production in June with a monthly output of 40,000 units.

The government is asking manufacturers to increase the production of medical supplies, which are in short supply amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Among other Japanese companies, automakers including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. have announced their plans to make medical face shields.

Hitachi will manufacture face shields at group production bases in Ibaraki and Aichi prefectures.

The company will also help medical equipment makers increase the production of ventilators. It is considering allowing the use of a clean room at a group facility to make liquid crystal display panels in Saitama Prefecture.

JIJI Press