Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s request for school closures won’t be extended and classes will start as scheduled when the new academic year kicks off in April, the education minister said Friday.
Addressing a government coronavirus task force, Abe instructed the education ministry to draw up plans for reopening schools after spring break ends early next month.
But he remained cautious on his approach to large public events, asking organizers to carefully examine whether such gatherings are necessary in light of the mass infection risks.