Photo/Illutration Yamagata Governor Mieko Yoshimura, left, speaks from the prefectural government’s office at an online conference of the National Governors’ Association on April 29. (Shintaro Egawa)

The National Governors’ Association plans to ask the central government to extend the state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak but was undecided on whether to push back the start of the school year.

The government has set May 6 as the deadline for the state of emergency, which covers all prefectures in Japan.

However, the association agreed to soon submit a proposal to the government to keep restrictions on travel and other types of movement in place beyond that date to ensure the virus is under control.

“We are reaching a critical juncture and (our action) will determine if we can contain the virus or not,” Tokushima Governor Kamon Iizumi, who chairs the association, said at the beginning of the online conference on April 29.

He urged the central government to “make a decision quickly” on extending the state of emergency to “show which way the country goes.”

Governors in attendance were also concerned about negative consequences if the state of emergency is lifted for only certain parts of the country.

Such a decision could lead to a “new movement of people” to those areas, so the state of emergency should remain nationwide, the governors said.

Most schools around Japan have been closed since early March on the request of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to prevent the spread of the virus.

The academic year starts in April in Japan, so many students have been deprived of time for studies and other school-related activities.

Students, parents and local government leaders have voiced concerns over the situation and are pushing for starting the school year in September, like in countries in Europe and North America.

However, a proposal for an autumn start received a mixed reaction from the 42 governors at the online conference.

Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura was clearly in favor of changing the start of the school year to September.

“We should do it for the future of Japan and our youth,” Yoshimura said.

Shiga Governor Taizo Mikazuki also supported the proposed change, saying the issue “needs to be discussed immediately” and that the move would mean “we prevailed against the novel coronavirus.”

Hyogo Governor Toshizo Ido, however, was skeptical.

“I want to reiterate that it is a national issue affecting everybody. We should not place it on the coronavirus-related agenda,” Ido said.

Toyama Governor Takakazu Ishii said governors should “avoid a rough-and-ready decision” on the education matter.

Changing the school calendar “has a lot to do with government systems and private institutions,” Ishii said. “I think we should save our judgment this fiscal year.”

In the end, the governors agreed to ask the central government to create guidelines for the issue.

Education minister Koichi Hagiuda on April 28 said starting the school year in September “can be an option and needs to be discussed.”

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