Izanau
Beta
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
  • About
  • Students
  • 企業向け
  • 企業向け
  • FAQ
  • Work Tips
  • Life Tips
  • Register
  • Log In
日本語 中文
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Life
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+

COVID-19 and University Life in Japan

Monday, May 18, 2020

The response of Japanese Universities to the global pandemic.

life in Japanschools in Japanwaseda universityCOVID-19CoronavirusJapanese UniversitiesCoronavirus and Japanese UniversitiesKeio UniversityUniversity of Tokyocoronavirus impact on education Japanacademics in JapanFinancial Support for Students in Japanonline education in JapanSchool start date JapanSophia UniversityStudent life in JapanCoronavirus in Japan
COVID-19 and  University Life in Japan

As schools and universities around the world are scrambling to switch their learning and teaching methods in order to minimize the disruption of education caused by COVID-19, Japanese universities are being forced to catch up with global trends of e-learning. Yet, out of all OECD countries, Japan currently ranks lowest in terms of its capacity of access to information outside of the classroom, and hurdles continue to prevent the Japanese education system from implementing methods of online learning. Teachers in Japan still rely heavily on traditional teaching methods, such as physical textbooks and blackboards. 

Moving Classes Online

On April 8, the University of Tokyo restricted university activities to level 3 out of 4 on their scale of severity. At this level, only designated research staff (and depending on circumstances some graduate students and researchers) are permitted to enter on campus laboratories. This applies to researchers conducting long-term experiments that would be jeopardized if stopped or to those finishing or stopping experiments that are in progress. Only approved staff with their IDs checked by gate guards are allowed to enter campus. Other than special cases like those mentioned above, all classes, lectures, seminars, as well as on-campus meetings have been moved online, usually through the video conferencing application Zoom. Extracurricular activities by students are all prohibited. 

Like the University of Tokyo, most universities have also adopted similar measures in restricting access to campus with faculty members and administrative staff working in a reduced capacity from home. In order to best prepare learning materials to be accessible online as soon as possible, some universities have decided to postpone the start date for the semester. For example, Sophia University has decided to postpone the start date for the 2020 spring semester from April 13 to May 25. The sudden declaration of the State of Emergency revealed that the degree of digital literacy varies greatly among universities. While some schools, like the University of Tokyo and Osaka University caught up quickly to start online classes, Kyoto University, Keio University and others are taking more time to address the technological challenges of the situation.

Financial Support

There has also been a disparity in the policies by universities on tuition exemption or reduction. The University of Tokyo, which is a national university, decided to offer tuition exemption for students who work to pay their tuition or for those who can prove their family income decreased by more than half compared to  last year's income since the state of emergency.

 A number of university students from Waseda University and Keio University, two well-known private universities in Tokyo, launched a petition on change.org in order to call for a reduction in tuition fees due to campus closure. Out of the goal of 5,000 online signatures, as of May 14, 4,781 people have signed the petition. In the comment section, many students and teaching staff  showed their support for a reduction in the  tuition. They argued that it is a matter of fairness towards the students whose academic experience has been changed by not having access to the physical infrastructure of the universities, as well as those who are suffering financially from the pandemic.

However, against these efforts, private universities, such as Waseda University and Sophia University, have released announcements that tuition reduction and exemption will not be applied. In an announcement issued in May, Waseda University provides an explanation of the breakdown of how the university spends tuition fees of students. It is said that although the actual tuition fees are set by semester in adjustment with fluctuations of the economy, tuition fee is intended to reflect the worth of the education provided during the entire duration of their education. The university also claims that large sums of tuition are being used for subscriptions of book and journal materials in the university libraries, the maintenance of facilities besides the libraries, which include the gymnasiums, labs, and offices, construction of new campus buildings, and an upgrade in the online database of the school. 

While not all universities decided to reduce tuition, some universities have offered financial support for living expenses for students who have been furloughed or have their income reduced in part time jobs as a result of the pandemic. In order to qualify for this grant, students have to satisfy a number of requirements, such as being privately financed students, not currently receiving other scholarships that are over 100,000 JPY from the Japanese government or any other organizations and institutions. They need to be able to provide evidence of their decrease in income, such as copies of their paychecks. The amount of the grant is typically 100,000 JPY. 

Some universities have set up systems and direct funds to help students with equipment they need to study from home, including special contracts with internet service providers for free portable Wifi devices and laptops for students who need them on a first come first serve basis. In this way, students will be assured to have a stable connection to follow their online lectures and complete their assignments. 

Japanese Universities, Spring Entrance Ceremony

Impacts after the pandemic 

Though the State of Emergency in Japan is supposed to be lifted in the coming weeks, the challenges for educational institutions will continue, hopefully leading to a catalyst for change.  One of the biggest education debates that has emerged is about moving the start of the school year from March to September. Two highschool students in Osaka started a petition calling for a shift in the academic calendar so that students and schools without the resources to move classes online don’t fall behind academically. Both Governor Koike of Tokyo and Governor Yoshimura of Osaka have supported this shift, not only because of the pandemic but because it will allow for Japanese students to move seamlessly between academic life in Japan and abroad, bolstering the ability for Japanese youth to be active in the world. But in true Japanese fashion the Education Ministry is treading with caution. Even though some institutes in Japan have been able to adapt quickly to the new normal it is a crucial time for all sectors in the Japanese society, from the government to both public and private schools, to use this opportunity to build resilient infrastructures for training the youth of their nation and perhaps even gain a competitive edge in the global academic landscape. 






----------------------------------------------

Want to work in Japan?

Sign up here to connect directly with Japanese companies. 

Or check out our latest job postings here.



  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
About the Author
Ha Luu

Economics student based in Tokyo. Focused in writing about socioeconomic issues in modern Japan.

  • Latest Jobs
Netive English Teacher
Education, Training
Big Apple英会話スクール
We are looking for a Native Speaker ASAP.Teach conversational English. Experience is not required if you are motivated. Full-time,Less than 30H teaching class/week. Children’s classes are either private or group lessons,...
Mie 四日市市
Full-time
Apply Now
未経験・外国人歓迎/ 正社員を目指しバイトを始める方にチャンス
General Trading, Specialized Trading, Distribution, Shipping, Warehousing
コールチャイナロジスティックスジャパン株式会社
3ヶ月~2年 : アルバイト若しくは契約社員 1年~ : 契約社員若しくは正社員
Hourly Salary ¥1200 ~ ¥2000
Tokyo 日本橋浜町1-12-9
Part-time
Apply Now
Logistics Filed 経験者歓迎・外国人歓迎/ 正社員
General Trading, Specialized Trading, Distribution, Shipping, Warehousing
コールチャイナロジスティックスジャパン株式会社
Logistics Filed でのオペ―レーション・営業 積極的に且つ一生懸命努力して会社・社会での成功を実現できる方を歓迎します! 会社と共に大きく成長して行きましょう。
Yearly Salary ¥2.6M ~ ¥5M
Japan 日本橋浜町1-12-9
Full-time
Apply Now
Latest Articles
  • Monday, October 26, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (July 2020 Statistics)

  • Friday, October 16, 2020
  • What Might Japan’s Energy Future Look Like?

  • Thursday, October 8, 2020
  • Jobs in Japan During a Global Pandemic

  • Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Discrimination and Stigma in Japanese Society: The Case of COVID-19

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020
  • Racism Denial: The Case of Japan

  • Friday, July 17, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (May 2020 Statistics)

  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020
  • Homelessness, Social Stigma, and Fringes of Japanese Society

  • Monday, June 8, 2020
  • Gambling, Pachinko and the Impact of the COVID-19

  • Friday, June 5, 2020
  • Government Support for International Students and Foreigners Living in Japan During the Coronavirus

  • Saturday, May 9, 2020
  • How to Apply for the ¥100,000 Coronavirus Government Support Money

  • Wednesday, May 6, 2020
  • To Those Who Have Lost Their Jobs Because of the State of Emergency In Japan

  • Wednesday, April 29, 2020
  • What is it like being LGBT in Japan?

  • Friday, April 24, 2020
  • ¥100,000 Japanese Government Support Money. Do you qualify?

  • Thursday, April 23, 2020
  • Visas and Government Support for Foreigners During the Coronavirus in Japan

  • Thursday, April 16, 2020
  • Why Can’t Japan Work From Home?

  • Friday, April 3, 2020
  • Japan Coronavirus Information Site List by Prefecture (Phone Consultations Available)

  • Monday, March 30, 2020
  • Job Search Support for International Students in Japan

  • Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  • The Coronavirus and the Olympics

  • Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • What to do during Volcanic Eruptions in Japan

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2020
  • Qualifying for the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional Visa Schedule (1) in Japan

  • Thursday, February 27, 2020
  • What to do when you miss the last train home in Japan

  • Friday, February 21, 2020
  • Viral and Vulnerable: Japan and the Coronavirus

  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • Japan’s Future: Will they embrace their hāfu population?

  • Wednesday, February 12, 2020
  • Jobs with Labor Shortages in Japan, Ranked (2019) January 2020 Update

  • Thursday, February 6, 2020
  • Hāfu: What it means to Japanese in a Changing Japan

  • Saturday, November 30, 2019
  • A Beginner’s Guide to the Labyrinth of Dating Apps in Japan

  • Thursday, November 21, 2019
  • Racing with Marriage - A Peculiar Trend of Modern Japan

  • Friday, November 1, 2019
  • Cost of living in Japan: Housing

  • Thursday, October 31, 2019
  • MyMizu App - Water tapping app in Japan

  • Monday, October 28, 2019
  • This Week in Japan

See All Articles

Work in Japan, Enjoy Japan

Finding a job abroad may seem challenging, but Izanau is here to make the process simple. Register now and you're one step closer to enjoying your new life in Japan.
Register your account

Jobs In Japan Made Simple
About Izanau
  • Contact Us
SiteMap
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
Terms of Use
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Privacy
  • Privacy Policy
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 紹介会社様はこちら
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 外国人材を紹介したい方はこちら
Sign Up
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Language
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Follow Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Izanau.