Japan’s health minister apologized on Tuesday after media reported that ministry officials had gathered at a restaurant late at night in Tokyo in violation of government protocols on COVID-19 infection.
Norihisa Tamura confirmed that on March 24, 23 ministry officials had dinner together and that he was quickly investigating the matter, Kyodo reported.
Tokyo and three adjacent prefectures went on a state of emergency due to COVID-19 infection on March 21, but the government continued to demand that restaurants close early at 9 p.m., and the public limit meetings.
According to a separate report in the Yomiuri newspaper, health ministry officials gathered for a farewell party at a pub in the Ginza area of Tokyo, and some stayed until midnight.