DoDEA Pacific to temporarily close schools to students in mainland Japan and Okinawa

In order to enhance mitigation efforts designed to protect students and staff from the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific will temporarily close DoDEA Pacific district schools to students March 23 - April 3. Schools will reopen following spring break on Monday, April 13.

Students will have access to online learning beginning Wednesday, March 25 through April 2. Families will receive a letter from their student’s school detailing how to access online learning assignments, as well as expectations for online learning.

USFJ and DoDEA Pacific districts in Japan have enacted effective mitigation measures to protect students, employees, and our military community from the spread of COVID-19 in Japan. With no cases of COVID-19 reported among students or staff, the success of these mitigation measures has allowed DoDEA Pacific districts in Japan to remain open. However, the decision to close Japan schools was made out of an abundance of caution and in order to allow for a thorough school cleaning, which would not be possible while students are in the building. This pause will also allow school officials to work to augment necessary cleaning supplies and enhance institutional mitigation measures.

This pause in school operations will allow DoDEA Pacific districts in mainland Japan and Okinawa to ensure all schools have the resources, training, equipment and supplies needed to maintain a safe environment for students and employees.