"Japanese Government to Establish Vice Minister-Level Interagency Team to Review Transition to September Semester System"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government is set to establish a vice-ministerial-level intergovernmental team within the Cabinet Secretariat soon to consider the transition to a 'September academic year,' Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 15th. This move is interpreted as a response to growing domestic demands for the change following extended school closures due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the report, the Japanese government plans to carefully review whether the issues related to the September academic year can be resolved and then make a final decision on the transition by setting up the related team.

Transitioning to the September academic year requires amendments to 33 laws, including the School Education Act. Seven related agencies are involved, including the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the National Personnel Authority. The Japanese government estimates that the budget required for the academic year transition will reach 5 trillion yen (approximately 57 trillion won). Coordination is also needed for the overall social schedules related to the academic year, such as entrance exams, qualification tests, recruitment, and employment activities.

If the September academic year is introduced starting next year, kindergartens and daycare centers will need to continue accommodating children beyond April next year. Consequently, the period of free early childhood education and care will be extended, requiring budgetary measures and legal amendments. Since the number of students may temporarily increase, securing a budget to expand classrooms and staff is also necessary.

At a press conference the previous day where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a partial lifting of the COVID-19 state of emergency, he described switching the school opening and admission period from the existing April to September as "one of the strong options" and said it would be actively considered. In Japan, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked calls to transition to a September academic year, similar to the United States and Europe.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.