Kyodo reported that Mr. Hiroyuki Morota - an independent lawmaker admitted that since February 4, he has auctioned masks on websites 89 times and earned a total revenue of 8.88 million yen (86,517 USD).
"I apologize for causing discomfort to everyone. I take moral responsibility and regret not being considerate in my role as a provincial council member," Hiroyuki Morota said at a press conference.
He also said that he will consult with relevant agencies in the provincial government to use money from selling masks for COVID-19 prevention measures. However, the 53-year-old actor insists he has no intention of resigning.
Mr. Morota said that on each auction website, he auctioned a few boxes containing 2,000 masks. These masks are sold for around 30,000 Yen to 170,000 Yen/set or a few sets.
He also said that the masks put up for auction were in the warehouse of a trading company that he had run for several years. The company imports goods from China and sells online. Specifically, the company bought this batch of masks during the outbreak of Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS).
The Japanese politician insists he is not speculating for profit.
He noted that at the same time as auctioning the mask on online sites, he also donated to a hospital in Sendai, a nursing home in Osaka, and a primary school in Saitama Prefecture.
