1 Response to COVID-19

　COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease associated with a new type of coronavirus that has never been reported before and has spread worldwide in a short period since December 2019. In Japan, the first case of infection was confirmed in January 2020, and the disease was classified as a “designated infectious disease” under the Infectious Diseases Act. As of the end of May, more than 17,000 cases of infection have been confirmed.

2 Response at schools

(1) Background of response at schools

　MEXT has been disseminating various measures in response to COVID-19 at schools since the first cases were confirmed in Japan, including basic measures against infectious diseases, such as hand washing and cough etiquette, the temporary closure of schools, and the approach to health management for students, depending on the outbreak situation both in Japan and overseas.
On February 27, 2020, the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters held a meeting to discuss the policy of requesting the temporary closure of all elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and special needs education schools to prepare for the risk of infection caused by the daily gathering of a large number of children and teacher and other personnel for long hours, keeping the health and safety of children as the top priority. In response to the Prime Minister’s request, on February 28, MEXT requested school administrators for temporary closure of schools until the beginning of spring break, and many schools took measures for temporary closure of schools.
In addition, parents were asked to cooperate by taking as much time off as possible during the temporary closure of schools, but there may be cases where it would be difficult to take leave.
Disseminated the following to each local government
- Teacher and other personnel can be involved in after-school activities such as student clubs and after-school daycare services, considering the teacher and other personnel’s workload.
-  Schools should ensure safety on their own while ensuring children have a place to stay, for example, for self-study, conducting activities in the schoolyard or gymnasium, and using after-school classes for children. In response to this, local governments and schools have made various creative efforts to ensure that children have a place to stay during the temporary closure of schools, and MEXT has introduced examples of such initiatives.
Furthermore, on March 24, MEXT published the “Guidelines for Reopening Schools in Response to COVID-19” and the “Guidelines for the Implementation of Temporary Closure of Schools in Response to COVID-19” based on the views of the Novel Coronavirus Expert Meeting to provide specific policies for reopening schools at the beginning of the new school term.
Additionally, the “Guidelines for the Temporary Closure of Schools” were revised in response to the views of the Expert Meeting and the declaration of a state of emergency based on the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response.
Although the state of emergency was lifted gradually, schools had to introduce a “new lifestyle” and reduce the risk of infection and its spread as much as possible while continuing educational activities and ensuring healthy learning for students on the premise that they will have to live with this new infectious disease for a long period. Based on these ideas, MEXT published the “COVID-19 Infection Control Manuals and Guidelines for Schools – New Lifestyle at Schools” on May 22, 2020, to serve as a reference for hygiene management efforts in schools. Along with basic measures against infectious diseases such as hand washing, cough etiquette, and ventilation (Fig. 1), the manual also outlines specific activities such as ensuring physical distance and teaching classes according to the local infection level. From June 2020, many schools are scheduled to resume educational activities while implementing measures against infectious diseases following the local situation.

(2) Securing learning opportunities for students

　School education is conducted through face-to-face instruction from teachers to students with the involvement of students, and even as the impact of COVID-19 is prolonged, it is important to ensure that no child is left behind, and that learning is guaranteed to the maximum extent possible, based on this purpose.
　To ensure that children can learn to the maximum extent possible while taking thorough measures to prevent infection, on April 10, 2020, MEXT notified schools of its basic policy regarding the educational guidance for students who are unable to attend school due to the temporary closure of schools as part of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as requiring students to study at home during the temporary closure of schools, providing study guidance through the use of telephones, making efforts to monitor students’ learning, and taking measures such as thorough supplementary classes and make-up classes after the resumption of schools, as much as possible.
　On May 15, 2020, based on the recognition that society as a whole will have to live with COVID-19 for a long period in the future, a notice was issued on the basic policy and direction of efforts to strike a balance between measures against infectious diseases and ensuring healthy learning for students. In the same notification, MEXT indicated the importance of enriching educational activities at school through various initiatives, such as scheduling school days, staggered school attendance, devising the schedule, shortening long holidays, etc. Furthermore, as an exceptional measure in cases where it is still difficult to complete the instruction of the content planned at the beginning of the school year, the notice indicates how the curriculum should be organized and that learning activities should be emphasized in the school classes with a view to the next school year and beyond.
　MEXT is also supporting the school boards and schools in every possible way so that they can steadily implement measures to guarantee students’ learning based on this philosophy.As part of the human resources system development to guarantee the learning of children, additional teachers, study guides, school support staff, and school counselors will be assigned with the cooperation of retired teachers, etc., to provide detailed educational guidance and mental health care for each child while ensuring that measures against infectious diseases are taken based on the infection situation in the region.
　In addition, to enable students to study at home using ICT even during the temporary closure of schools, the GIGA School Program will be accelerated for the early realization of “1 device for 1 student,” and a communication environment that allows students to connect at home will be developed. Moreover, to contribute to the home study of children, MEXT has established and is enhancing the “Children’s Learning Support Site”, which introduces educational materials and videos that can be used at home by children and their guardians.
 

(3) Response at universities, etc.

　1) Securing learning opportunities for students
　To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in universities and colleges of technology (KOSEN),  MEXT has urged each universities, etc. from the beginning to take thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection and has also taken measures to promote the use of remote classes and other teaching methods.
　For example, on March 24, 2020, as a precaution for the commencement of classes in FY2020, MEXT requested universities to take all possible measures against infectious diseases and to prepare themselves with special attention to be maintaining a hygienic environment. Concerning the accreditation of credits, approval of course completion, and the conferral of degrees, MEXT requested universities to take flexible measures through the implementation of supplementary lectures and supplementary examinations and the use of reports for academic evaluation, etc., so that students will not be disadvantaged in their pursuit of higher education and employment. At the same time, each universities, etc. was informed that they could flexibly change class periods and class plans and that learning opportunities could be secured through remote classes.
　To encourage efforts by each universities, etc. to implement remote classes, the FY2020 supplementary budget allocated funds to develop systems, servers, equipment (cameras, audio equipment and mobile routers for loaning to students) and technical and educational support systems for remote classes. In addition, remote classes are also being promoted from an institutional perspective. For example, the handling of credits in cases where part of face-to-face classes are conducted remotely has been clarified, and special standards have been established to allow flexible implementation of classes that were originally scheduled to be conducted face-to-face, such as when remote classes are substituted for face-to-face classes.
　Furthermore, since it may be difficult to conduct experiments, practical training, and practical skills through remote classes depending on the content of the class, universities are requested to ensure necessary learning while considering the risk of COVID-19 infection. Specifically, for example, during periods when students are unable to commute for classes, such as during temporary closure of universities, etc., the timing of classes may be moved back, alternative measures may be implemented that have the same educational effect as face-to-face classes, and after the temporary closure of universities is lifted, classes may be held while distributing the number of students.
　MEXT will continue to firmly support and promote the efforts of each university to ensure that students are not disadvantaged.

　2) Support for students with financial difficulties
　In addition to ensuring that students have the opportunity to study, MEXT is also making efforts to secure sufficient support for students who are in financial hardships due to the impact of COVID-19. MEXT has compiled an “Emergency Package to Support Students’ Learning” as the main support measures available to students’ experiencing difficulties in their studies due to the effects of COVID-19. In addition to support for students finding it difficult to continue their studies due to a sudden change in their family’s household finances under the new financial support system for higher education (launched in April 2020), which targets students from low-income households in genuine need of assistance, and the loan-type scholarship programs of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), which targets a wider range of households, the recently established “Emergency Student Support Handout for Continuing Studies” and the emergency special interest-free loan-type scholarship provide new support for students who are living independent from their families and who are financing their school expenses through income from part-time jobs that has substantially decreased¹.
　For students who face financial difficulties paying tuition and other fees, each university was repeatedly requested by MEXT to handle such payments flexibly by postponing them or offering exemptions. With the belief that students should not have to abandon their studies for financial reasons, for example, even for students who fail to pay tuition and other fees by the deadline, each universities, etc. will first consider the individual circumstances of students and provide them with counseling to help them continue their studies, and give careful consideration to students facing financial hardships, requesting appropriate measures be taken so that students with unavoidable circumstances will not be disadvantaged. Such initiatives by universities were encouraged by supporting each university’s respective tuition fee reductions and exemptions for students experiencing a sudden change in household finances in the FY2020 supplementary budget.
　In addition, to ensure that these support measures reach every student, MEXT has requested that each universities, etc. provide students with prompt and sufficient information and has also requested that a system be put in place to ensure that students who are experiencing hardships and anxiety can utilize the system appropriately for consultations, for example, by establishing a single point of contact for inquiries. MEXT will continue to make every effort to support students in difficult circumstances.

　3) Support for international students
　Besides providing necessary information on the contents of quarantine conducted by the Japanese government, JASSO also provides financial assistance to Japanese students traveling abroad as well as to students in Japan. For example, in light of the spread of COVID-19, JASSO will be flexible in providing scholarships to international students who have been asked to return to their home countries temporarily, for example, by temporarily suspending study abroad programs for international students.
　In the past, JASSO scholarships would be suspended when a student was elevated to Level 2 or higher for infectious disease risk while studying abroad to encourage students to return home promptly for their safety and health. However, in light of reduced or suspended flights, travel restrictions within each country, and tightened quarantine measures due to the spread of COVID-19, this policy has been revised to continue support for students who are unable to return home promptly from countries or regions that have been designated Level 2 or higher, or who have no choice but to return home and continue their studies at their host university online.
　Furthermore, considering the situation of students from overseas who are required to stay in a hotel for health observation for 14 days after returning to Japan due to the tightening of quarantine measures, JASSO has decided to urgently (1) provide JASSO disaster relief grants to international students receiving the “Support Scholarship for Study Abroad” (TOBITATE! Young Ambassador Program), and (2) Provide emergency recruitment of Type 2 Scholarship (Overseas) for privately financed international students.
　Various measures are in place for international students studying in Japan to support their continued studies. For example, each universities, etc. has been notified that, as with Japanese students, foreigners living in Japan who are recorded in the Basic Resident Registration are also eligible for the special fixed-amount benefit and that they can take advantage of support through employment adjustment subsidies and have requested that international students be made aware of these benefits.
　In the case of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship students who cannot return to their home countries after their study period, MEXT will provide flexible measures, including supporting them as Japanese Government Scholarship students.

　4) Response regarding overseas educational facilities
　Many overseas educational facilities were temporarily closed due to the effects of COVID-19, leading to an increase in the number of students returning to Japan temporarily. MEXT has disseminated notices to all boards of education to ensure the smooth acceptance of students who wish to transfer to schools in Japan. MEXT and JOES have established desks for handling consultations from parents. Also, overseas educational facilities have been requested to provide appropriate learning support during temporary closures using the ”Children Learning Support Website”.
　In addition, to ensure students' learning in Japanese schools, the second supplementary budget for FY2020 has allocated funds to support the development of 1 device for 1 student and teacher and a demonstration project to establish an ICT-based education system.
　MEXT will closely monitor the situation in countries worldwide and cooperate with MOFA to provide the necessary support for reopening schools and securing students' learning opportunities during this period.

3 Science and technology-related response

　MEXT is strengthening research infrastructure and accelerating research to develop therapeutic agents and vaccines against COVID-19.
　In addition to supporting the R&D of rapid testing systems that can significantly shorten testing time, MEXT is also strengthening the infrastructure of research centers for infectious diseases in Asia, research support infrastructure of drug discovery for academia and private companies, and research infrastructure at national universities to accelerate R&D of pharmaceuticals and other products.
　Furthermore, MEXT is actively utilizing advanced research facilities that support the development of science and technology innovation in Japan to combat COVID-19, intending to produce results as quickly as possible. Specifically, MEXT is utilizing part of the supercomputer “Fugaku”, which is currently under development, ahead of schedule, and is promoting the use of computing resources provided in cooperation with universities and the National Research and Development Agency that make up the innovative High-Performance Computing Infrastructure (HPCI). Other facilities, such as SPring-8, a large synchrotron radiation facility, and J-PARC, a high-intensity proton accelerator facility, are expected to contribute to developing therapeutic drugs from the analysis perspective of protein crystal structures.
　Furthermore, the reactions of citizens and consumers to various social events caused by COVID-19 will be analyzed by utilizing knowledge from the humanities and social sciences, including behavioral economics, social psychology, law, and ethics, and this knowledge will be applied to the improving methods for presenting scientific evidence in social decision-making in emergencies, thereby contributing to policy-making and information dissemination processes in public health administration.
　In the future, MEXT will continue to make efforts in research and development related to COVID-19 by mobilizing all of its scientific and technological capabilities.

4 Sports-related responses

　Due to the impact of COVID-19, various sporting competitions and events have been canceled or postponed following requests from the government. Concerning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (hereinafter referred to as “Tokyo 2020 Games”), on March 30, 2020, it was decided that the Tokyo Olympics would be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021, while the Tokyo Paralympics would be from August 24 to September 5, 2021.
　Sports lead to physical and mental health, inspire dreams, move people, and give them courage, and are extremely important for a rich and enriched life. It connects people, it connects regions, and it connects countries. It is precisely in times such as these that it is necessary to bring sports back to the country in a manner that ensures the safety and security of all citizens so that the power and splendor of sports will lead to the vitality of society.
　Japan Sports Agency has been working to relieve the lack of exercise and maintain the physical and mental health of all citizens by, for example, launching a support website² to collect and introduce information on sports and exercise that children can enjoy at home during the closure of schools.
　In addition to these efforts, a package of government-wide support measures for sports-related organizations and individuals affected by the spread of COVID-19 is available on the Japan Sports Agency website³, along with consultation services.

 

　In response to government requests to prevent the spread of COVID-19, various cultural events were canceled, postponed, or reduced in scale, and cultural facilities such as museums were closed, or their opening hours were shortened. In preparation for the resumption of artistic and cultural activities, MEXT provided information and advice on guidelines to prevent the spread of infection formulated by various organizations, and on May 14, 2020, published the guidelines for museums, theaters, music halls, etc.
　The Agency for Cultural Affairs is committed to supporting those forced to refrain from cultural and artistic activities to keep the torch of Japanese culture and art burning. First, the government has announced support measures in the FY2020 supplementary budget, such as the expansion of emergency loans and guarantees by the Japan Finance Corporation, the substantial expansion of special measures for employment adjustment subsidies, and the establishment of benefits for continuing business operations. The government will consider the special nature of the culture and art industries, where many people work as freelancers.
　Furthermore, the Agency for Cultural Affairs will provide support for the resumption of cultural and artistic activities through measures to prevent infection at cultural facilities, creating opportunities for children to experience and appreciate culture and art, art caravans by local organizations involved in culture and the arts, and supporting the promotion of content-related businesses for their overseas expansion in cooperation with METI, in addition to actively supporting efforts toward the continuation of activities and initiatives to strengthen profitability by utilizing cutting edge technologies, so that preparations for the resumption of cultural and artistic activities can be made and freelance workers can continue their activities.
　Considering the situation where the organizers have incurred significant losses due to the voluntary restraint of events, if spectators waive their right to claim refunds of admission fees, the amount waived will be considered a “donation” and deductible as a contribution. The Agency for Cultural Affairs has established a support information desk on its website to provide information on these various initiatives in response to individual needs.
　Also, amid the cancellation or postponement of many cultural activities due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology attended the First UNESCO Culture Ministers’ Meeting (via video conference) held on April 22, 2020, to discuss appropriate support for the cultural sector by government, explaining to various countries Japan’s support measures and that Japan remains firm in its commitment to keep the light of culture and the arts burning.

[1] “List of financial assistance for students affected by COVID-19” (website of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/coronavirus/benefit/index.html
[2] “Children’s Sports Support Site” (Japan Sports Agency website): https://www.mext.go.jp/sports/b_menu/sports/mcatetop03/list/
detail/jsa_00012.html
The site introduces YouTube videos of Chico-Chan’s original dance performances, as well as sports and exercise programs that can be performed at home or by small groups, such as those offered by the Japan Sport Association, the Japan Football Association, and the National Recreation Association of Japan.
 
[3] COVID-19 Economic Measures Support Measures for Sports Organizations and Individuals List of Inquiries “Connecting Sports to the Future” (Japan Sports Agency website):
https://www.mext.go.jp/sports/b_menu/sports/mcatetop01/list/detail/jsa_00008.html
* Listing information will be updated from time to time

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