ITAMI, Hyogo -- The mayor of this western Japan city has disclosed on Facebook the residential city of a woman infected with the new coronavirus after the prefectural government initially refused to reveal the data, it has been learned.

The woman in her 40s is among four people the prefectural government announced on March 6 were infected with the virus, but it only said that she is a resident under the control of a health and welfare office in Takarazuka, which is in charge of the cities of Takarazuka and Sanda, as they couldn't obtain her consent to reveal her personal information.

However, Yasuyuki Fujiwara, the mayor of Itami, which adjoins Takarazuka, posted a comment on his Facebook account on the night of March 6 that said she lives in Sanda, which doesn't neighbor Itami. Fujiwara explained to the Mainichi Shimbun, "I thought the information provided by the prefectural government wasn't enough to secure the safety and security of residents."

He apologized for his actions on the night of March 7, stating via his Facebook account, "I'm deeply sorry for any trouble or problems caused."

The prefectural government admitted on the night of March 7 that the woman lives in Sanda after gaining her consent to share the information.

(Japanese original by Motohiro Inoue, Hanshin Bureau)