Society

Japan rules out asking for blanket school closures amid virus surge

Aug 22 (Japan Times) - The central government is not considering blanket closures of schools to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19, education minister Koichi Hagiuda has said.

“The government will not seek such blanket school closures,” Hagiuda told a news conference Friday in reference to elementary, middle and high schools.

Still, he said that his ministry will respect decisions made by local governments to extend summer breaks or close schools on a temporary basis, given regional differences in infection situations.

“We will protect children’s opportunities for learning as much as possible,” Hagiuda said, calling for continuing education by utilizing online classes and other technology to help prevent the spread of the virus.

In February last year, the government requested temporary closures of elementary, junior high and high schools across the country after the coronavirus outbreak. Since then, the government has not sought such blanket school closures.

Later Friday, Hagiuda and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga confirmed the policy of not seeking blanket school closures.

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