TOKYO, March 26 (CNN) - Japan’s foreign ministry issued a travel alert for the entire world on Wednesday for the first time as the coronavirus pandemic accelerates.

The ministry raised its travel alert to level 2 on a four-level scale, urging people in Japan to refrain from non-essential overseas trips.

The latest move is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, as Japan has seen a rise in people testing positive after returning from overseas trips.

Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi also warned that people traveling abroad may find their mobility restricted or be unable to find flights home if the country they visit issues a lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this week, the foreign ministry also requested that those returning to Japan from the United States self-quarantine for two weeks.