Apr 07, 2020 (NHK) - Japanese language schools in the country are unable to welcome new overseas students as the government has invalidated visas issued in more than 170 nations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A school based in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward had planned to accept about 700 new students from 28 countries and territories at the start of the new academic year in April.
But only some 90 students have made it to Japan. The fate of the remaining 90 percent is unknown.
The new students took part in an orientation session Monday morning. They were allowed into the classroom after disinfecting their hands and having their temperature checked.
They wore masks and sat on chairs placed about one meter apart. They were given a briefing on how to protect themselves from the virus, such as by avoiding crowded places.
One student from the United States said that he had spent most of his time inside the dorm since arriving in Japan. He expressed the hope to be able to see something of the country when things return to normal.
The head of the Akamonkai Japanese Language School, Arai Tokiyoshi, said he keenly feels a sense of crisis because, if the situation does not improve, business will become financially untenable.
