Two Komeito lawmakers urge steps against bullying, misinformation over virus

February 1 , 2020

Two Komeito House of Representatives members—Masataka Ota and Takae Itoh—spoke at a Lower House budget committee hearing held on January 31 on proper responses to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Ota said that the viral outbreak’s impact on the domestic tourism and manufacturing sectors should not be closely monitored, but that active government intervention to ease any adverse consequences was needed.

Itoh, meanwhile, called for the release of a list of medical facilities that can test and diagnose people who may be infected, not just in the large cities but for those smaller communities well outside the major metropolises. She also said the government must take the initiative to ensure that those who are found to be infected and their families as well, should be spared from bullying or any other form of discrimination, in their workplace or school.

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