TOKYO: The Japanese government has been able to contact all of the approximately 10 Japanese nationals confirmed to be staying in Niger, an African country hit by a military coup, Chief Cabinet Secretary MATSUNO Hirokazu said Wednesday.

Tokyo is providing necessary support to ensure their safety, while two Japanese and a family member with foreign nationality staying in the Niger capital of Niamey escaped to Paris on Tuesday aboard a flight arranged by France, the top government spokesman told a press conference.

Matsuno also said that the government raised on Tuesday its travel alert for Niamey to Level 3, which calls for avoiding any trips to the city, from Level 2, an advisory for refraining from nonessential travel.

JIJI Press