Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said there are still about 1,100 Japanese nationals around the world who want to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic and that the government will do everything it can to help them.

"We're approaching local authorities about the early return of people who remain (overseas) and are discussing which way would be most appropriate," Motegi said during an online event organized Monday by Kyodo News. "We'll keep doing our best."

Among the Japanese nationals are around 350 people who are expected to return before the end of the month, but there are currently no concrete plans covering the rest, Motegi said.