Japan to shelve September school start at least until 2022

Abe's proposal loses steam as coronavirus response takes precedence

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Students walk to school in Tokyo on Feb. 28. Classes were canceled for weeks across Japan due to the coronavirus outbreak. © Reuters

RIEKO MIKI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan will likely forgo shifting to a September school year at least until 2022 as teachers and municipal officials are overwhelmed with dealing with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

A ruling Liberal Democratic Party working team on Wednesday compiled a recommendation against making the switch "in the near future," including fiscal 2021, which ends in March 2022. 

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