TOKYO: Japan has conveyed strong concern to India about the South Asian country's travel restriction on Japanese citizens over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga revealed Thursday.

"We have conveyed our strong concern, while giving sincere explanations to the Indian government about the situation in Japan, as well as our response (to the coronavirus)," Suga told a press conference.

As the number of coronavirus cases in Japan is increasing, moves to restrict arrivals from the East Asian country are beginning to spread, with Japanese companies wary of possible implications for their operations overseas.

Following India's announcement on the travel restriction, electronics and machinery maker Toshiba Corp. instructed all expatriate employees to avoid as much as possible leaving countries where they are stationed now.

Suzuki Motor Corp., which has the top share in India's passenger car market, is gathering related information, a public relations official said.

Japanese automakers are worried that the United States could introduce a travel restriction on Japan if the coronavirus crisis deepens.

JIJI Press