Hokkaido, Over 1,600 Schools Already Closed
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it is expected that elementary, middle, and high schools across Japan will close for one month.
According to Kyodo News on the 27th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated at the COVID-19 task force meeting held that day that he would request all elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as special support schools nationwide, to temporarily close from April 2nd until the end of the spring break.
With over 1,600 schools, mainly in Hokkaido, already closed, the Japanese government plans to encourage a nationwide full closure. Although there are regional differences, the spring break generally runs from mid to late March through early April.
In Hokkaido, it was confirmed that many individuals active in the education field, including secondary school teachers, childcare workers, students, school bus drivers, and school meal service workers, have been infected with COVID-19.
Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture announced that to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections, all kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools in the city will be closed for two weeks from the 28th of this month to the 12th of next month. The institutions affected include 6 kindergartens, 38 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 1 combined elementary and middle school, and 1 special support school, totaling 61 institutions.
Universities are also reducing opportunities for gatherings of unspecified large groups to prevent the spread of infection. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Hosei University announced the cancellation of its graduation ceremony scheduled for the 24th of next month, and Kyoto University decided to announce successful applicants only online and not to post the list of successful applicants on campus bulletin boards.
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