Japan's welfare ministry has set up new sections to support the development and promotion of robots that can assist in nursing care.

The ministry this month opened six bases to support companies developing such robots, as well as 11 consultation centers for operators of nursing-care businesses across the country.

The governor of Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan says 14 people have been found without vital signs at a nursing home for the elderly. That comes amid heavy flooding in the region.

Japan's government is going to send 21.5 million face masks to nursing care and other facilities facing a shortage amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Health minister Katsunobu Kato made the announcement on Thursday.

Nearly 20 percent of facilities in Japan that provide nursing care have run out of surgical masks amid the new coronavirus outbreak.

More than 1,000 care facilities across Japan responded to a survey over the weekend by the Nippon Careservice Craft Union.

Japan's health ministry will issue guidance for nursing homes to prevent the spread of coronavirus among the elderly, whose symptoms could get serious if infected.

The ministry plans to notify local governments of the new measures as early as Monday.