ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Coronavirus

Japan schools rush to wrap up academic year before shutdown

Coronavirus closure disrupts calendar for exams and final grades

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has told all public schools to close from Monday and cancel final exams.   © Reuters

TOKYO -- Teachers and students in Japan are in an unprecedented scramble to finish the academic year weeks early after the national government requested schools close from Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Many schools hastily wrapped up the term on Friday, the same day the request to close was officially made, despite the semester running through mid-March. But with such short notice, questions remain whether students will be ready to return to school once the following academic year starts in April.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more