TOKYO: Japan's education ministry said Monday that only 38 percent of the country's elementary, junior high and high schools, as well as special-needs and other schools began lessons in the new academic year from this month.

The proportion of primary and secondary schools that have begun classes as of Friday was lower for the seven prefectures under the government's declaration of a state of emergency over the coronavirus epidemic, at 6 percent.

In the seven prefectures, including Tokyo, 27 percent of preschools were open while none of elementary schools began classes. For junior high and high schools, the proportions were at one percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Twenty-four percent of private schools in the seven prefectures began classes, while no public school did the same.

Meanwhile, 85.8 percent of universities and technical schools nationwide either decided or were considering delaying the start of lessons.

The proportion of universities that will conduct courses remotely using the internet stood at 47.4 percent.

JIJI Press