The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education said it has seen a massive increase in junior high and high school students seeking advice about poor grades or family relations in the first half of the current school year, compared with the same period a year ago.
Increases of more than 50% were seen in both categories from troubled students seeking advice by accessing the board of education's SNS consultation service via the LINE free communication app.
Conversely, the number of consultations regarding relations with friends fell about 100 to 434, a drop that a board of education official chalked up to the extended closures of schools due to the novel coronavirus.
The board of education started the online consultation service for junior and senior high school students last school year. Psychologists and other counselors contracted by the board provide advice by using the messaging function of the LINE app.
According to the board, the number of cases from April to September -- the first half of the school year -- regarding poor academic performance was 187, an increase of 54%, or 66, from the same period in the last school year.
Problems with family members totaled 174, up 50%, while cases of emotional instability numbered 48, more than triple the previous year.
Among the complaints received were: "I'm dreading school reopening because it was closed so long," "I argue with my parents about my attitude and my study time," and "My parent slapped me out of frustration from making less money due to the coronavirus."
The metropolitan board of education has been analyzing the circumstances of the cases, and is considering how to use the data to aid school counselors in responding to troubled students.
"We make efforts to respond without overlooking serious cases, and want to deepen cooperation with other relevant organizations," said a board official.
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