COVID-19 in Japan: Supplement giants maintained manufacturing during state of emergency
Japanese firms such as Nippn, Kirin, Morinaga Milk Industry, Kewpie, Yakult, Eminet, and FANCL had been sharing their experiences of operating in Japan despite the state of emergency in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 16, Japan’s Prime Minster Shinzo Abe declared a nationwide state of emergency in all 47 prefectures, in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
PM Abe explained it was not a lockdown, and essential services like clinics, pharmacies, transportation, banks, post offices, delivery services, supermarkets and convenience stores would continue to operate.
Probiotics and infant formula producer Morinaga Milk Industry told us production was continuing as normal, with research associate Chyn Boon Wong stating that dietary supplements were considered ‘essential services’ in Japan.
