Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HE and MEXT’s main countermeasures—Starting period for classes and promotion of utilization of distance learning
1. Starting period for classes - spring semester

２．Use of distance classes (as of June 1)

・Around 90% of universities have postponed the ・As of June 1, 99.7% of universities have started
starting period for regular classes.
・Almost all universities that have not postponed classes willconduct, or are considering conducting, distance classes.
Postponed
start ofclasses

their spring semester classes.

・90.3% of universities offering classes are conducting
distance classes in some way.

Start classes as usual
will conduct orconsidering
distance classes

Consideringother COVID19 prevention
measuresof in-person andNational univ.

-

26.7％

73.3％

Public univ.

5.0%

29.0％

66.0％

Private univ.

11.7％

31.1％

57.2％

Colleges of

3.5％

24.6％

71.9％

9.7％

30.2％

60.1％

National univ.

90.7％

9.3％

-

Public univ.

82.9％

13.3％

-

Private univ.

87.0％

10.5％

0.1％

Colleges of

87.0％

12.3％

-technology

86.9％

10.7％

0.1％

(Overall)technology（Overall）（930 schools）（115 schools）（1 school）*Response rate was around 97.8%, so totals in table do not add up to 100%. Universities
that "postponed start of classes" include those that will conduct distance classes.

combination use

in-personclassesdistance classes

distanceclasses（103 schools）（322 schools）（641 schools）*The population is the number of universities (1066 schools) which answered thatthey are conducting classes as of June 1.

・ Following allocated for supplementary budget.

Ensuring learning opportunities by accelerating setting up of environment

Main
for distance classes at universities. (93 million US$)measures*Includes university equipment (cameras, audio equipment, etc.), mobile communication equipment for students, etc.
by MEXT ・ The rule on the limit of the number of credits for distance education was exempted as anexception.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HE and MEXT’s main countermeasures—

International student exchanges and scholarships

1. Acceptance of international students(as of April 21)

・ Almost none of the new international
students scheduled to come to Japan in thespring have been able to arrive in Japan.
・ Some students who have completed
their academic courses are unable toreturn to their countries.

2. Overseas study for Japanese students(as of April 21)

・New dispatches of students by government
scholarships have been temporarilysuspended.
・Govt. has requested that students cancel orpostpone privately-financed overseas study.

Main measures by MEXT
Main measures by MEXT
(1) For international students scheduled tocome to Japan
Flexible responses under the government’s

scholarship programs so that they can receive
scholarship payment in case:- The arrival in Japan is delayed from the original period,- The scholarship period is changed to the autumn, etc.

(2) International students currently enrolled
in JapanSpecial measures for receiving the monthly
scholarship payment.

Flexible payment of overseas study government
scholarships depending on the situation of theoverseas student.
*Scholarship payment continued for students who have difficulty
returning temporarily to Japan and to students who have
temporarily returned to Japan and are continuing their study.

Consideration for study, course registration, etc.
・ MEXT requested universities to- Consider necessary measures such as supplementarylectures, extending registration period.
- Avoid disadvantages of students by consulting withpartner universities regarding various conditions
including credit acquisition.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HE and MEXT’s main countermeasures—

Financial support to students adversely affected

Emergency Student Financial Support for Continuing Studies (Budget：About 493 million US$)With students experiencing a significant economic impact on their lifestyles due to heavy reductions
in household income and income from part-time, the program will provide those who facedifficulties continuing their studies a cash handout so that they do not abandon their studies.
◇ Eligibility：Students attending universities (including graduate schools), junior colleges, technicalcolleges, vocational schools, etc. in Japan, including international students.
◇ Cash Handout Amount：Students exempt from residence tax: 1,900 US$, Other students: 950 US$◇ Estimated number of Eligible Students：About 430,000
New Learning Support System and
Loan-type scholarships【Measures for households experiencing sudden changes
in finances】

・ Any-time acceptance of applications
・ Flexible assessment of family income
Learning Support Systemfor Higher Education

Loan-type scholarships

Expansion of system
operation. Until the endof June, payments canbegin from the month
the application is made.

As in the past, support targets
students in urgent financial
need due to a sudden change
in household finances.
(Application accepted at anytime.)

Learning support at individual universities
Postponement of tuition payments

MEXT is requesting all universities to flexibly handle thepayment period for tuition and other fees for students infinancial difficulties.

Support for the exemption from tuition andother payments by individual universities

As an emergency financial measure, MEXT allocatesnecessary funds to universities to support financial burdenof tuition exemptions.
In the supplementary budget, national universities will
receive 45.5 million US$ and private universities 90.2
million US$.