JAPAN

80% of Japan's mayors oppose shifting school-year start to fall

Local authorities say central government should concentrate on preventing virus from spreading

School pupils observe social distancing in their class to reduce the risk of infections with the coronavirus disease during a recent class at an elementary school in Ise, Mie Prefecture. | KYODO

Kyodo

May 30, 2020

Around 80 percent of the nation's mayors oppose or remain wary about shifting the start of the school year to September from April, a recent survey shows.

The proposal emerged in the wake of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's unilateral request for schools to close in late February to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

The mayors say the government should instead concentrate on preventing the virus from spreading, according to the survey, which was conducted by the Japan Association of City Mayors.

80% of Japan's mayors oppose shifting school-year start to fall

Local authorities say central government should concentrate on preventing virus from spreading

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