Japan's industry minister Hiroshi Kajiyama says he will call on the business sector to actively introduce staggered working hours and telework to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

The comment came ahead of the government's official announcement of its basic policies against the outbreak.

NHK has learned that Japanese investigators have asked for Interpol's cooperation in arresting the wife of former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Ghosn has been indicted in Japan in relation to alleged financial misconduct. He skipped bail and illegally left Japan for Lebanon late last year.