Enrollment ceremonies for first-year students at public elementary and junior high schools in Kofu and five other municipalities in Yamanashi Prefecture were held on Sunday.
The ceremonies had been delayed about 1-1/2 months due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
At Shirane Iino Primary School in the city of Minami-Alps, the ceremony lasted about 20 minutes -- 30 minutes less than usual -- and students in the fourth grade and older were kept away in order to lessen the risk of infection.
The 42 first-graders entered the gymnasium in a line and took seats about two meters apart. Only one parent or guardian from each family was allowed to attend.
Homeroom teachers gave administrative instructions in the gym, instead of the classrooms as usual.
"It was nice to have the enrollment ceremony that we have all been waiting for," said Seiji Kubota, 37, a company employee in Minami-Alps.
His eldest son, Reo, 6, said with a smile: "I'm happy to see all my friends. I was so excited."
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