March 25, 2011

To: Presidents of all National, Public and Private Universities

University Promotion Division,
Higher Education Bureau,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Handling of the Academic Calendar for FY2011 in Response to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake

    As previously notified by the Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on March 18, 2011, in the notification “Handling of the Selection of FY2011 University Entrants Owning to the Occurrence of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake,” in consideration of the students and others who have been affected by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, the ministry is currently requesting all universities to consider flexible measures in accordance with the situation at each university, concerning changes to the dates of enrollment ceremonies and other matters.

    In addition, the impact of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake and subsequent rolling power blackouts means that some universities will not be able to start lectures and classes from April. For those universities to which this situation applies the ministry has set out a number of points to note (see below) with regard to the academic calendar. All universities are requested to take this points into due consideration and to respond appropriately.

    In the areas directly affected by the disaster there are also some universities for which the future outlook is currently unclear. With regard to the handling of the academic calendar and other matters, universities to which this situation applies are requested to consult with the ministry separately, based on the status of progress of such matters as the restoration of facilities and securing of safety.

Details

    In view of the impact of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, with regard to the initial period for lectures in FY2011, based on the assumption of a credit system that awards one credit for 45 hours of study, it shall be possible for universities to respond flexibly with an initial period of 10 or 15 weeks, on the condition that the university in question has implemented measures to secure the appropriate number of hours of study stipulated in Article 21 of the Standards for Establishment of Universities (Ministry of Education Ordinance No. 28, 1956), employing courses of study and task-oriented research that employ such means as additional lectures or internet-based learning.

    In this case, based on the stipulations of Article 87 of the School Education Act (Law No. 26, 1947) pertaining to the course term, educational activities at universities shall be implemented systematically, based on a long-term outlook.

For inquiries, please contact:

University Promotion Division, Higher Education Bureau
TEL: 03-5253-4111 (Ext. 2493)  FAX: 03-6734-3392