An association of Japanese prefectural governors is urging the central government to make changes in the law to make it easier to enforce requests for businesses to close to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
In a video conference on Sunday, the National Governors' Association agreed to include a request for legal revisions in their emergency proposals.
A survey in Japan has found huge gaps among regions on the usage of digital devices and materials to help children study at home as their schools remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The education ministry asked local governments about their home study support for more than 25,000 elementary, junior and senior high schools.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo says it's good that the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments have agreed on the types of businesses that will be requested to close temporarily under the state of emergency to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Abe told reporters on Friday that it is important to do everything possible under the law to contain the spread of infections.
Some of the major theme parks in Japan that have closed due to the coronavirus outbreak are planning to extend the shutdowns for even longer.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will keep their doors closed beyond a planned reopening in early April. The operator Oriental Land says visitors won't be able to enjoy the parks again until April 20th at the earliest.
Japan's education minister says the nationwide school closures will not be extended beyond spring break.
Koichi Hagiuda spoke to reporters after a meeting of the government's task force on the new coronavirus outbreak on Friday.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the government will push forward with its plan to temporarily close schools and will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
The government decided on Thursday to request the closure of all elementary, junior and senior high schools and schools for students with special needs from Monday.
The Japanese government has compiled guidelines for closing schools and nursing homes if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.
The education and health ministries on Tuesday notified prefectural governments of the guidelines aimed at preventing the further spread of the virus. The guidelines cover schools, nursing homes, facilities for the disabled and other institutions across the country.