OREANDA-NEWS. The leading Japanese automaker Toyota Motor will launch the production of protective masks due to the spread of the new coronavirus. This was reported on Tuesday by Japanese public television.

It's noted that the masks will be equipped with a transparent plastic plate that protects not only the oral cavity, but also the entire face of the wearer. The carmaker will also send a batch of masks to medical facilities that are faced with their shortage. In addition, Toyota will transfer its technological developments to medical companies to increase the output of their products, in particular ventilation devices.

On April 7, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is due to announce a local emergency regime due to a coronavirus that will affect seven Japanese prefectures. In the country at the moment there are more than 4.8 thousand cases of infection, of which about 700 are passengers and crew members of the cruise ship Diamond Princess.

Most cases of infection (1.1 thousand) were detected among residents of Tokyo. In total, 108 deaths were recorded in Japan. According to the latest data, around 1.3 million people have been infected with coronavirus in the world, more than 70 thousand deaths have been recorded.