July 3, 2021

Twenty teacher organizations, including the All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo), the National Federation of Private School Teachers and Staff Unions (Shikyoren), and teachers’ unions in ten municipalities where Olympic events will take place, on July 2 issued an appeal calling for the cancellation of the mobilization of schoolchildren to the Summer Games.

Pointing out that there are emerging signs of another surge in new COVID-19 cases, the appeal stresses the need to focus on supporting medical systems and providing financial compensation to struggling individuals and business owners. The appeal also points out that the mobilization of schoolchildren has various problems such as a higher risk of exposing children to the virus and risk of heatstroke.

The appeal states that pushed by calls of teachers, parents, concerned citizens, and doctors for the cancellation of the mobilization plan, many schools and local education boards have declined to participate in the plan. It adds that such a plan should be cancelled in the light of putting the safety and security of schoolchildren first.

Past related article:
> All municipalities should cancel planned mobilization of schoolchildren to go to Summer Games [June 21, 2021]