After Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Thursday night for all elementary, junior high, high schools and special-needs schools nationwide to close temporarily starting from March 2 until spring break, the response from local governments has been split.
The Saitama prefectural government decided Friday that it will temporarily close all prefectural schools as requested, starting March 2. The prefectural government is also asking municipal governments in the prefecture to temporarily shut down as well.
"This coming week is an extremely important time," Saitama Gov. Motohiro Ono said, while also criticizing the government by saying the request was "very sudden."
Ehime Prefecture has decided to temporarily close its schools starting March 4.
"[The government] should tell us the reason for this suspension and have an outline of a course of action," Ehime Gov. Tokihiro Nakamura said. "Without it, it spreads fear and anxiety."
Miyagi Prefecture has also decided to temporarily shut down its prefectural schools, but its special-needs schools will continue holding classes.
Kanazawa City Mayor Yukiyoshi Yamano has elected not to close the elementary, junior high and high schools of the city after taking into account the effect it could have on double-income families as the time before the requested closure is short.
Chiba City Mayor Toshihito Kumagai decided to temporarily close the city's elementary, junior high and high schools for a two-week period until March 16. Elementary and junior high schools will close starting March 3 and high schools will close starting March 4. He questioned the period the government has requested: "Why until spring break? Is there epidemiological evidence?"
Regarding private schools across the country, Susumu Yoshida, the chairman of Japan Private High School Federation said the decision of whether to temporarily close a school will be made by each individual school. He also stated that if a school does decide to suspend classes, it will need to think of ways on how to best support the graduating students who will take college entrance examinations.
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