What happened to the toilet paper?

Last week, I was told to go out and buy toilet paper because due to the Corona Virus there was a sudden panic rush happening in Japan to buy and stock up on toilet paper. I laughed when I heard this as the authorities had said there was no shortage of toilet paper. But today when I went to Heiwado Store in Kyotanabe, there was no toilet paper, tissue, diapers, tampons, women's sanitary items, hand soap, sanitizer, and wet paper towels. I don't get it. Nevertheless, you are dealing with the fear of uncertainty, panicked people and human nature. So even if there is no real shortage, just the "fear" that the authorities might be wrong and there is a shortage, people become obsessed and rush out to the stores to buy up the toilet paper. Remember this frenzy was all created by some people on social media. Also please note that I live way out in the country in the middle of nowhere. So if it is affecting this small town of Kyotanabe, then you know it is affecting all of Japan nationwide. This is all getting out of hand. The only fortunate thing is that most Japanese toilets are the washlet models which uses primarily water for personal toilet cleaning/hygiene and just some toilet paper after to check and wipe off the excess water. But wow, this is getting crazy! :0

When I asked the Heiwado staff if there was any real shortage of toilet paper or any of the other items sold out, she said no. Then I asked when the next shipment might be coming in, she said she did not know.

After I made a Facebook post earlier today about the toilet paper shortage in Kyotanabe and how it is artificially driven by social media, fear and human nature, don't laugh when you watch this video clip about the debate in the Japanese parliament today about toilet paper! I don't know if I missed something but I think for most non-Japanese this issue of toilet paper becoming a national debate issue in the parliament would look a bit silly. (Please remember all Japanese toilet paper producing companies are saying there is no shortage and they have enough for everyone). Shouldn't they be looking for ways to fight the spread of the virus and protect the Japanese citizens rather than debating about the toilet paper issue? Prime Minister Abe finally concluded that the government is working hard on what to do and will have to set up a system to get toilet paper to people if the Corona Virus becomes a big problem. (But there is no shortage!) I think I lost something in the translation!