Amazon Japan begins removing considerably overpriced medical products such as face mask, tissue paper, and so forth. Accordingly, the attempt is to combat exploitation over public’s coronavirus fears.
“We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to artificially raise prices on basic-need products during a global health crisis and, in line with our long-standing policy, have recently blocked or removed tens of thousands of offers,” Amazon Japan announced.
Japan is notorious for being among countries with the most coronavirus outbreak cases outside China. Besides the number of cases, Tokyo also receives criticism globally due to the notably minimum efforts in responding to the outbreak.
Even worse, many vendors throughout Japan is using the demise to sell medical products at ridiculously unreasonable prices. As many people require such products, numerous vendors and retailers are often running out of stock of those products in the past weeks.
When that happens, people are starting to shift to online marketplace and Amazon happens to be on the top destination in the country. Considering the high demands, sellers are using the opportunity to excessively mark up the prices.
For that reason, Amazon Japan, following its US headquarter, is closely monitoring the marketplace. They ban and remove medical products sold at overpriced prices, mostly up to five times the normal price.
Also Read: Facebook Ban Face Mask Ads amid Coronavirus
Amazon is Not the Only Destination to Buy Face Mask Online in Japan
Regarding the overpriced medic products, Amazon is not the only destination for Japanese people. Overpriced face masks, tissue paper, hand sanitizers and other medical products are found in almost all online marketplace available in the country.
For example, Mercari, a Japanese secondhand goods marketplace, also witness the same phenomena. On the platform, various vendors are selling the products at remarkably high prices beyond the standard.
The company, indifferent from Amazon Japan, is beginning to thoroughly monitor and remove the aforementioned products. For the sake of efficiency and effectiveness, they are using AI technologies.
Furthermore, to prevent further exploitation, Mercari also implements a strict condition. Should the company find a vendor exploiting the fear, they will suspend the accounts.
Upon suspension, the accounts will receive warning about the violations they do. If they keep on doing so, the company will ban those accounts.
Also Read: Coronavirus Slowdown in China, Oil Bounces up to 8%
