Abe asks all schools in Japan to close over coronavirus

Shutdown from Monday risks disrupting graduations and parental work schedules

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the government will order the closure of all elementary, junior and senior high schools nationwide, starting March 2. © Kyodo

Nikkei staff writers

February 27, 2020 19:03 JST

Updated on February 28, 2020 00:41 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that he will ask all elementary, middle and high schools to close temporarily, starting Monday, March 2, as the government tries to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.