The request did not mention any specific countries, but there have been reports of Chinese tourists in Japan buying up inventories of over-the-counter medications in response to the rapid spread of infections in China.

The request – an administrative communication by the ministry of health, labour and welfare – was dated Dec 26 and addressed to the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and other industry organisations. It requests that measures be taken to prevent hoarding, like limiting the amount of medicines one person can purchase at a time and preventing repeat purchases.

The memo also urges the industry groups to post notices in stores that the resale of purchased pharmaceuticals may be in violation of the law.

According to the ministry, pharmaceutical companies have no current inventory problems. However, there are concerns that a rush of desperate purchases could impact the stable supply of medicine in Japan.

The ministry also requested that wholesalers and other businesses not place excessive orders and not stockpile inventory.

Japan on Sunday implemented a testing mandate on travellers from China, which began fighting a surge in Covid infections in early December when it dropped its zero-Covid policy.

Travellers whose trips originate in China now must show proof of a negative Covid-19 upon arriving in Japan.

The mandate provoked Beijing to retaliate by suspending the issuance of visas to Japanese travellers. Tokyo in turn has protested the decision.