Schools in flu-hit Osaka, Hyogo reopen after 1-week closure+

KOBE, May 25 Kyodo -
About 4,200 schools in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures resumed classes Monday after
closing for about a week, in line with Japan's new policy of relaxing
restrictions in areas hit hard by a new strain of influenza.

Students in the two western Japan prefectures were back at kindergartens,
elementary, junior and senior high schools as well as special education
schools, with the exception of certain schools in areas where the epidemic has
not yet subsided.
The number of new-flu infections in Japan had hit 348 in eight prefectures by
Monday night, with five newly confirmed infections, including a U.S. national
in his 30s staying in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Western Japan is currently the epicenter of new-flu infections in Japan and the
case in Fukuoka is the first in the southwestern main island of Kyushu.
The American man confirmed to be infected with the new flu is from San
Francisco, according to Fukuoka Prefecture. He arrived at Fukuoka airport via
Narita last Friday and ran a fever of 39 C on Sunday while staying at an
acquaintance's house in the prefecture.
In Tokyo earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a
press conference, ''It has yet to come to a point at which we can declare the
outbreak is over, but I feel that the situation is moving toward an end.''
But Kawamura, the government's top spokesman, also called on the public,
especially those suffering from chronic illnesses as well as pregnant women, to
continue to remain vigilant about possible infection.
Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto said he ''will make the utmost efforts to restore the
functions'' of the prefecture while trying to curb the epidemic at the same
time.
The resumption of classes came under the new policy adopted by the Japanese
government on combating the epidemic of the new H1N1 strain of influenza A,
which allows municipalities to decide whether to close or reopen schools amid
the domestic outbreak of an apparently milder form of the flu.
About 2,280 schools in Hyogo Prefecture and around 1,990 schools in Osaka
Prefecture resumed classes but 14 schools in Hyogo and 100 schools in Osaka
remained closed.
The schools at which classes remain suspended include Kobe High School and
Hyogo High School, both in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, where the first cases of
infections in the country were discovered, as well as Kansai Okura Senior High
School in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, where over 80 students have been infected.
Hiroshi Ashitaka, 55, vice principal of Kansai Okura Senior High School, said,
''We have a massive task ahead, including making up for the missed study time
and providing emotional support for students.''
In other western Japan areas, the city of Kyoto decided Monday to resume
classes in kindergartens, and elementary and junior high schools in two of its
wards Tuesday. The schools have been closed since an elementary school boy was
found to have been infected with the new flu.
In Shiga Prefecture, where infected individuals have been also discovered, all
prefecture-run schools and elementary, junior high and high schools in six
cities, including Otsu, are expected to be closed until Tuesday.
Japan Airlines, meanwhile, said Sunday night that a 41-year-old male JAL
employee was confirmed to be infected with the new flu.
He arrived at Narita international airport Sunday afternoon aboard a JAL flight
from Canada. A total of 274 passengers and crew members were on the flight.
Of those seated close to the employee, three entered Japan but they had not
complained of flu-like symptoms, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare
Ministry.
The city of Kobe as well as Hyogo and Osaka prefectures decided Saturday to
reopen their schools as the outbreak in the area appears to be subsiding.
About 4,400 schools in the two prefectures had been closed under the
government's previous policy as more than 300 people, many of whom were
students, have been infected since May 16 when high school students in Kobe
were diagnosed as the first new-flu patients in Japan.
In the case of new infections, the prefectures will temporarily suspend
particular classes or grades instead of the entire school, according to
prefectural officials.
The city of Kobe will require individuals who test positive in preliminary
tests to remain at home as part of efforts to prevent the spread of infections
in schools, city officials said.
==Kyodo