All 10 Japanese nationals wishing to evacuate military coup-hit Niger had left the nation by the early hours of Thursday with the help of French authorities, the government said.
Eight Japanese were successfully transported from the western African state in addition to two who had already fled to Paris, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference.
Matsuno, the top government spokesman, also said that only a very small number of Japanese citizens have chosen to remain in Niger, adding Tokyo will continue to make utmost efforts to ensure their safety.
After the military coup sparked protests in Niger against France, the African country’s former colonial ruler, Paris initiated the evacuation of its citizens and other nationals, including Japanese and British individuals.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, the United States ordered some staff and their families at its embassy in Niger’s capital of Niamey to evacuate.
Members of Niger’s military said on July 26 that they had detained former Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum and removed him from power. The junta has accused the toppled government of asking France to carry out a military operation to free Bazoum.