Schools cautious over new flu / New term sees many places of learning act to prevent mass infection

Schools began second terms Tuesday, with many taking special measures to prevent students becoming infected en masse with the new strain of influenza, such as the conducting of opening ceremonies via TV monitors or outdoors instead of inside school gyms.

In Takasago Primary School, a municipal school in Urawa Ward, Saitama, Principal Eiji Kimura appeared on TV monitors installed in each classroom at 8:30 a.m., reportedly prompting pleasant surprise among many students.

"Good morning," Kimura said. "Though I wanted to see you face-to-face, I can hear your cheerful voices from this broadcasting room."

Yusuke Inoue, 12, a sixth-year student, expressed unhappiness over the measures, saying, "It's unusual, and I can't meet up with friends in other classes."

As of Monday, 36 public primary, middle and high schools in Tokyo had decided to close either the entire school or some classes due to the new strain of influenza.

Tokyo Metropolitan Koishikawa Secondary Education School in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, comprising both middle and high school stages, closed two of its four first-year classes.

On Tuesday, the school held its second-term opening ceremony by broadcasting internally to students as they sat at their classroom desks.

To prevent new flu infection, Sampo Primary School, a municipal school in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, held its opening ceremony in the school playground, though such ceremonies usually are held in the school's gym.

According to the Education, Science and Technology Ministry, as of Monday, 27 kindergartens, primary, middle and high schools in Tokyo and nine other prefectures had temporarily closed due to the flu.