The Return of Toilet Paper

Today I went to check to see if the toilet paper panic rush and all of it being sold out was still taking place in the Heiwado Store in Kyotanabe. My last blog post about the toilet paper was that last week I did not take it seriously but when I got to Heiwado, all the toilet paper, paper towels, tissue, women’s tampons and other female hygiene items, diapers, wet tissue, and body soap were sold out. Today when I went to check, I found that most of the items that were sold out last week were restocked. The only thing that had not come in yet was liquid hand and body soap. And there was large stock of toilet paper. In fact, they moved it closer to the front cash registers and there was a limit of one package of 12 rolls per family. The cost was the usual price of 298 yen ($2.75) per package. Until this day, no one really knows why there was a run on toilet paper. My theory was that it was the fear of not having something you need in daily life along with human nature at work. Some Japanese people said that they thought toilet paper was shipped in from China and since China was no longer manufacturing toilet paper because of the factory shutdowns throughout their country, there was a shortage. But Prime Minister Abe, in the video I posted about the Japanese Parliament debating about toilet paper, said that toilet paper is produced in Japan and there is no shortage, so China and the shortage of toilet paper are not related. So, let’s hope that things stay this way and no one panics or starts another social media run on toilet paper and other daily necessities. But I will admit, that even I who thought had enough of a supply of toilet paper for another month and laughed at the empty shelves, did “pressure out” today and bought a package of Hanataba toilet paper, 12 rolls, single ply. Oh well, I am only human! ;)

Today at Heiwado! All the items that were sold out were restocked, including toilet paper! The only item that was not restocked was liquid soap.

Last week at the Heiwado Supermarket in Kyotanabe City. Toilet paper and other personal items were completely sold out.

There was a large stock of toilet paper and tissue located close to the cash registers in front.

And yes! Even me who felt that I had enough toilet paper for another month, “pressured out” and bought one package of Hanataba toilet paper, 12 rolls, single ply. Yes, I am human also! ;)