Japanese PM Shinzo Abe Asks All Schools to Close Over Coronavirus

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said that the government would ask all elementary, junior high and high schools to close from March 2 until spring break.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 25, 2020. Kimimasa Mayama/Pool via Reuters

Japan’s entire school system, from elementary to high schools, will be asked to close from March 2 until their upcoming spring break late in the month to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.

The dramatic escalation of Japan’s fight against the virus follows rising criticism of what has been seen as a lukewarm government response.