Japan's coronavirus mask handout tainted by gripes over mould, stains, insects

FILE PHOTO: A mail carrier delivers cloth masks under a government program for the distribution of two washable masks each to all households in Japan to help contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan April 17, 2020, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Picture taken April 17, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's effort to distribute protective cloth masks in its coronavirus battle has been marred by complaints about mould, insects, and stains, fuelling further concern that the government has botched its handling of the pandemic.

Just weeks after it began supplying every household with two washable, reusable masks at a cost of $430 million in the strategy to contain the virus, the government has been forced to replace some masks following reports of defects from recipients.