Coronavirus fears fuel panic buying of toilet paper in Japan

Rumours of shortages circulate on social media causing long lines and surging prices

Last updated: March 02, 2020 | 10:06

2 MIN READ

1/15

People wearing protective masks queue to purchase toilet papes and tissues at a drug store in Tokyo.

2/15

A woman walks past shelves where toilet paper was stocked and now sold out, at a shop in Tokyo.

3/15

Shortage rumors on social media have sparked toilet paper panic buying in Japan.

4/15

Coronavirus fears are causing drugstores and supermarkets to run short of toilet paper and other items.

5/15

A woman walks past an out of stock of toilet paper in a shop.

6/15

A man walks past an out of stock of toilet paper in a shop in Tokyo.

7/15

Shelves of out of stock toilet paper and tissues are pictured in front of a drugstore.

8/15

A woman wearing a facemask walks past empty supermarket shelves in Tokyo.

9/15

People buy toilet papers and tissues at a drug store in Tokyo.

10/15

A general view show an out of stock of toilet paper in a shop.

11/15

People wearing protective masks queue to purchase toilet papers and tissues at a drug store in Tokyo.

12/15

People wearing protective masks buy toilet papes and tissues at a drug store in Tokyo.

13/15

Empty supermarket shelves as rumours of shortages cirulate on social media.

14/15

A man shops in an empty supermarket shelves usually stocked with toilet papers in Tokyo.

15/15

A woman wearing a facemask walks past empty supermarket shelves, usually stocked with daily necessities, in Tokyo.

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox