Apr 11 (NHK) - Japan's foreign ministry says one of its senior officials has been infected with the coronavirus.
The official is Mizushima Koichi, the director-general of the Consular Affairs Bureau, whose tasks include helping ensure the safety of Japanese nationals overseas. He has played an important role in the ministry's steps against the outbreak.
The ministry says the official developed a fever on Thursday night and tested positive on Friday. That came after one of his family members was also confirmed to have the virus on Friday.
It says no one at the ministry has had close contact with Mizushima since he developed the disease as he began working from home on Wednesday.
The ministry says Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu is continuing with his official duties.