Society | Jan 11

Test-takers on alert as Japan university exam to go ahead amid virus surge

Japan’s new unified university entrance examination is set to take place for two days from Saturday, in an unprecedented situation amid the rapidly growing spread of the novel coronavirus, which has led the Tokyo metropolitan area to be put under a fresh state of emergency.

While the test has some 530,000 applicants, including high school third-graders, the education ministry and the National Center for University Entrance Examinations are advising them to apply for a makeup exam if something is wrong with their health.

The new test, replacing the National Center Test for University Admissions, will also be held on Jan. 30-31 as a special measure in response to a delay in study due to temporary closures of high schools last year amid the epidemic. The later test, for which 718 people have applied, will also serve as a makeup exam for those who will miss the exam on Saturday and Sunday.

The ministry and the center are asking applicants to check their body temperatures every morning for about seven days in the lead-up to the test and bring their temperature data to their exam venues.

If applicants have either one of three symptoms — a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, breathing difficulty or strong fatigue — or two or more conditions such as smell or taste disorder, a lasting cough or pain in the throat, and diarrhea on the day of the exam, they will be advised to skip the test and apply for the makeup exam.

Such applications will be accepted between Tuesday and the day of the exam. Those submitting the makeup test applications need to inform the universities hosting the test venues through telephone. There will be no need to submit medical certificates.

For applicants who develop symptoms after arriving at the test venues, doctors will decide whether they should be allowed to take the exam in separate rooms or whether they should choose to apply for the makeup test.


MORE Society NEWS

A fire chief in Shiga Prefecture has been disciplined for "vaccine harassment," after a staff member who chose not to receive the COVID-19 jab was made to work in the office hallway.

As more people keep pets indoors, there has been a call for caution regarding unexpected pet behavior leading to fire accidents.

Last year saw a record-breaking 1,963 prohibition orders issued in Japan under the Stalking Control Law, marking the highest number to date.

POPULAR NEWS

Japan's Meteorological Agency announced the blooming of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in Tokyo at 2 p.m. on Friday, five days later than average.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced a formal plan on March 28 to establish priority lanes for autonomous vehicles along expressways stretching from Tohoku to Kyushu within the next ten years.

JAXA has announced the revival of the unmanned explorer "SLIM" following its successful hibernation after making Japan's first moon landing. The probe successfully endured a second lunar night, a period during which temperatures can drop to as low as minus 170 degrees Celsius.

Seven-Eleven have extended the expiry date of its hand-rolled onigiri (rice balls), including salmon, plum, kelp, spicy cod roe, and tuna mayonnaise varieties.

The Japanese government finalized a new strategy on Wednesday aimed at the development of next-generation domestic aircraft, including initiatives for eco-friendly aviation technologies.

FOLLOW US