TOKYO: The Japanese government adopted an ordinance revision on Friday to ban the resale of sanitizers at prices higher than the acquisition costs.

The government hopes to ensure a steady supply of sanitizers amid shortages caused by the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Violators would be given a prison term of up to one year or a fine of up to one million yen, according to the revised ordinance related to the law on emergency measures to stabilize people's daily lives.

The Japanese government has already banned the reselling of face masks under the law.

The revised ordinance, which will come into force on Tuesday, will cover the resale of pharmaceutical products, including alcohol, and liquors with high alcohol concentration that are used as an alternative to disinfectants, as well as sanitizers.

The government hopes that the ban will prevent bulk purchases of such products for reselling and lead to increased supplies of such items to medical institutions, which have been facing shortages of sanitizers.

The law, established in 1973 following the first oil crisis, stipulates government measures to respond to price hikes of items that are essential to people's daily lives.

JIJI Press