NHK reported that Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura disclosed today that a smartphone app that informs people whether they might have had close contact with COVID-19 carriers will be released on the Internet for downloading on June 19. The network said when smartphone users get close to each other, the app will record each other’s data, and if one of them later tests positive for COVID-19, the app will inform users that they may have come in close contact with a virus carrier. Minister Nishimura reportedly said that the app will not record any personally identifiable information such as phone number or location, adding: “The benefit of the app is that people can swiftly receive notice that they may had close contact with a coronavirus carrier while paying consideration to personal privacy. In order to protect the lives of loved ones, I hope that people will install the app.”