'COVID-19 Spread' in Japan, Various Sectors Advocate September Semester Shift... Abe Says "Considering Various Options"

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe removes his mask before starting a press conference on the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on the 17th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated on the 29th that he would "consider various options" regarding the proposal to switch to a 'September academic calendar' in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Major Japanese media outlets such as Kyodo News and NHK reported that Prime Minister Abe, during his appearance at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the same day, mentioned that there are cautious opinions about changing the admission and school start period to September.

Japan currently adopts the 'April academic calendar,' with the school year beginning in early April. Since Prime Minister Abe's nationwide simultaneous school closure request in February, most schools have remained temporarily closed. There is a growing movement, mainly among opposition parties and regional governments, to permanently switch to a September academic calendar.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, argued at the National Assembly on the same day that "with school closures continuing, gaps in learning are emerging," and that the option of transitioning to a September academic calendar should be considered. Earlier, the 'Alliance of Governors Supporting Future Generations for Japan's Revival,' formed by governors of 17 prefectures, held an online meeting the previous day and issued a joint message requesting the government to introduce the September academic calendar.